The founder
Meet Moyo
I am the founder, researcher, storyteller, and field documentarian behind Roots and Relics by Moyo.
My work is driven by a simple but powerful belief: every place has a story, and every community deserves to be remembered.
Through research, oral interviews, photography, storytelling, and field documentation, I travel from community to community, uncovering the histories of villages, towns, founders, traditional occupations, cultural foods, landmarks, and the people who shaped them.
Origins
The Inspiration Behind Roots and Relics by Moyo
Roots and Relics by Moyo was born from a simple but powerful realization: many people know very little about where they come from.
Across Nigeria, countless individuals have never visited their ancestral homes. Some do not know the stories behind their towns, the people who founded them, or the occupations and traditions that sustained generations before them.
As communities evolve and elders pass on, valuable histories, cultural practices, memories, and local knowledge risk being lost forever.
This project was created from a deep desire to preserve those stories before they disappear.
Curiosity
A Fascination With Hidden Histories
Growing up, I became fascinated by the histories hidden within villages and towns: stories of migration, leadership, resilience, identity, family, and community that are rarely documented.
I realised that every community, no matter how small, has a unique story worth telling.
Behind every street, landmark, traditional occupation, meal, and local custom lies a history that deserves to be remembered.
Method
Researching From Community to Community
Roots and Relics by Moyo exists to uncover and preserve those histories.
My work includes:
- Visiting villages, towns, and historical locations.
- Interviewing elders and custodians of local history.
- Recording oral histories and community memories.
- Researching founders, migrations, leadership, and historical events.
- Photographing landmarks, architecture, crafts, foods, and everyday life.
- Documenting traditional occupations and cultural practices.
- Reviewing available written and archival sources.
- Presenting the final work in a respectful and accessible form.
My goal is not to replace the voices of communities, but to help preserve and share them responsibly.
Reconnection
Preservation and Reconnection
My vision extends beyond preservation. It is also about reconnection.
For Nigerians living abroad and for those who have never had the opportunity to visit their hometowns, Roots and Relics by Moyo serves as a bridge to their roots.
By helping people research their heritage and rediscover their ancestral communities, I hope to strengthen the connection between generations and ensure that cultural identity is not forgotten.
Belonging
Inspiring Pride and Belonging
Beyond preserving history, I want to rekindle the love people have for their communities, towns, and fellow citizens.
When people understand the sacrifices, achievements, values, and stories of those who came before them, they can develop a deeper appreciation for their heritage and a stronger sense of belonging.
By telling these stories, I hope to inspire pride, unity, and renewed commitment to preserving the traditions and values that make Nigerian communities unique.
Perspective
Showing the World a Different Side of Nigeria
Roots and Relics by Moyo is also committed to showing the world a different side of Nigeria.
A Nigeria defined not by stereotypes, but by:
- Rich histories.
- Diverse cultures.
- Remarkable traditions.
- Traditional knowledge.
- Beautiful places.
- Local cuisines.
- Resilient communities.
- People whose stories deserve to be known.
Every town has a story. Every family has a legacy. Every community deserves to be remembered.
The work
More Than a Historical Project
This is more than a historical project.
It is a movement to preserve identity, celebrate heritage, increase our love for our communities and people, and remind us that knowing where we come from is an important part of understanding who we are.
That is the inspiration behind Roots and Relics by Moyo.
From our communities to the world, preserving heritage one story at a time.
Know Your Roots. Preserve Your Heritage.