a selman project

It’s no secret that every nation has its own unique culture, demographics, and associated social issues. Unfortunately, sometimes our perception of many countries is shaped most by the negative issues which bubble up in the media. Worse still, is that many countries go both unheard of and unheard by the larger world.

Thankfully, every nation equally produces individuals who devote and sacrifice themselves to the principles of peace, freedom, and equality. The Peace Post project began as a means to shine a light on individuals from around the globe who are champions of peace.

As a starting point, we determined that every sovereign nation should be represented in the project with a few key disputed states entered at our discretion. As a referential guide for each illustration, we profiled each country with a keen eye on the progression of traditional and contemporary visual styles associated with the art and culture.

In choosing which individual to profile for each country, we first referenced Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, notable omissions, and various other international peace awards looking for potential candidates. In several cases when a nation was not represented by a winner of a major peace award, we used our own research to find an individual who represented associated ideals and actions of peace advocacy.

We elected to represent the chosen individuals as a series of stamps for several reasons. Stamps have a long history of commemorating important people and events. Stamps are collectible and shareable. Perhaps most importantly, stamps represent a vehicle of correspondence and dialogue.

Our goal was to learn more about these countries, the positive people there, and share their stories with you.

For more information please contact:
chris@selmandesign.com
peacepost on instagram:
@projectpeacepost
Copyright and disclaimer
The content of this web site contains information, photographs, and media intended solely for educational purposes.

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Racheal Chagonja

  • Tanzania
  • Environment

Racheal Chagonja is a young Tanzanian student who is an environmental and peace activist. She founded the K-Project for Peace to oppose uranium mining and nuclear weapons as well as raising public awareness in Africa of the severe humanitarian threat uranium mining poses. In 2015 Racheal along with other activists climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro (hence K-Project) as a symbolic statement that the difficult climb towards a world free of nuclear weapons can be achieved by this generation.

Tanzania

  • Population
    
54,815,373 (29th)
  • Capital
    Dodoma
  • GDP (PPP)
    $3,080 per capita
  • December 9, 1961
  • Total Area
    365,756 km2 (31st)
  • Demonym
    Tanzanian
  • Government
    Unitary Presidential Constitutional Republic

Artwork

Tanzania has a rich history of wood carving that serves as both as art to stimulate income, but also as a part of cultural history and rituals. The sculptural portrait was inspired by the Makonde ebony wood “Mapiko” masks. Facial tattoos were once considered sacred and flourished among Tanzanians, but the art form has faded away. The designs are of Tanzanian vegetation, while the chevrons symbolize Racheal’s symbol for peace, Mt. Kilimanjaro.

  • Illustration by
    Katie King Rumford