Elements of importance to Maasai- Fig tree

The Maasai's are monotheist and believe in one God- the Engai. Engai is said to be neither male nor female, but one who has several aspects. The Maasai believe that Engai is creator of everything. Owing to a pastrolist lifestyle, many natural elements are part of the religious ceremonies or rituals that the Maasai perform. The wild fig tree is called oreti or oreteti by the Maasai, and apart from its mundane use as the raw material for bark cloth, it is given a primary role in rituals. According to the myths, Engai sent down the cattle from the sky to the Maasai by means of the aerial roots of the sacred wild fig tree The cosmological significance in the light of the cattle myth is obvious, though its size, shape, sturdiness and long life also epitomise an ideal of life. It is sung about in dances and invoked in prayers and blessings as a symbol of life.

Advithi Emmi is an Indian artist and art educator. For her art is a reflection of self and the society, it's an inexplicable journey that aids introspection. She believes in collaboration over competence, and have had several stints with different community-based projects and organizations, where she has contributed creatively to their growth while working hand-in-glove with the best in the field. In recent times, her work is mostly based on visual documentation of traditional knowledge and culture. As an art educator, she works towards sharing and instilling her experience with young minds.

In the third edition of the Wise Wall Project, we are collaborating with the culturally rich and one of the oldest communitys in the world, the Maasai community, in Arusha, Tanzania, in partnership with Vikram Solar Ltd., Vijana Inspiring Foundation, Lions Club of Dar es Salaam and Arusha City, and Google Arts and Culture. Along with building an on-ground community centre and museum for the community, we are bringing an exclusive insight into the life, lifestyle and learnings from this inspiring community.

The Wise Wall Project is an initiative of Project FUEL that aims to document, design and strengthen the wisdom of rural communities and marginalised villages using art and community outreach programmes. The arts lead the way to raise support for the challenges these villages face today like migration, quality education and access to basic amenities like water and roads.