Background
According to Gbaran traditions, each of Gbaranowei’s sons founded the towns of Okotiama, Ogboloma, Agbia, Okolobiri, Koroama, Obinagha, Nedugo, and Polaku. Polaku at the mouth of the Taylor Creek was probably settled only after July 18, 1854, when Baikie (1856:39-40) named the Creek after a member of his crew, Taylor who mistook it for the River Nun, and directed the ship into it. As at then they did not report a village at the site where Polaku now stands. The worship of Gbaran Ziba serves as a unifying force in Gbaran. In every July they gather at Okotiama to celebrate the first fruits festival, uziye, and a fishing festival at the pond, Odoidi.