The Osani game is played by Efé children of the Ituri tropical forest in the Republic of Congo.
Sitting in a circle with feet touching in the center, each child in turn names a round object like the sun (oi), the moon (tiba), a star (bibi) an eye (ue) and then goes on to name a figurative expression of “round”, like the circle of the family, togetherness, a baby in the womb or the cycle of the moon.
As players fail to come up with a term that is “circular” they are eliminated from the game. In the end, only one will remain and tradition says this player will live a long and prosperous life.
TYPE mirror
DESIGN Joana Santos Barbosa, 2013
DESIGN Joana Santos Barbosa, 2013
DIMENSIONS
HEIGHT. 110cm|43,30’’ WIDTH. 110cm|43,30’’ DEPTH. 9cm|3,54’’
PRODUCT DETAILS
Handcrafted wood structure finished in ebony veneer and aged gold leaf in high gloss varnish.
PRODUCT OPTIONS
Other veneers and combinations with silver leaf, copper leaf or any Ral Classic color in half or high gloss varnish.
"The energy of children sitting in a circle caught my attention. The image of Osani circle game immediately drew a creation in my mind that aims to be an ode to respect for human life and the wisdom of ancient traditions."
Joana Santos Barbosa
The Osani Circle photograph was taken by Belgian anthropologist Jean-Pierre Hallet in the 1960s (All Rights Reserved: see below); Hallet lived many years with the Efé and loved their community traditions. He was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize while working to ensure their survival.
In 2013, the human circle inspires Joana Santos Barbosa to create a round mirror that represents the spirit of mutual help in this tribe, thought to be one of the oldest on earth.
The ebony veneer captures the effect of the childrens’ outstretched legs around the center, and the aged gold leaf brings to mind the soles of their feet and their sun-bleached heads.
The circle is the perfect form in which no side stands out. Like every child, every part of this mirror becomes essential to its balance where the flow of energy around center is identical and of equal value; without beginning or end.
All exclusive rights to this image are owned by S. Fassberg of ConnectingDotz.com.
To purchase cards, posters and fine photographic prints, visit www.connectingdotz.com.
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