The Ou-Ti People of Yaawo-Ana
The jungle culture of Ou-Ti established in the massive, ancient stump of a tropical Yaawo (a plant related to the Banyan Tree). The breadth of the tree's trunk takes approximately an hour to cross on foot. Though the tree's branches have been missing for ages, the roots of the plant go so deep, as the Ou-Ti tell it, 'that the tree does not yet realize it is dead'. How exactly the tree lost all its branches is a mystery, but the Ou-Ti enjoy telling many tales about it.
The location of the city of Yaawo-Ana is important from an Earthly perspective, being located on a pulse point, or energy center, of the planet. Tapping into this vein of release with its roots, the tree emits messages from its interior, and those who are trained Earthspeakers work to interpret the communications released from the tree and the surrounding soil. The plant is so interconnected to its surroundings that it receives and translates messages from neighboring rivers, and even from the active volcanic mount of Csarathakwa some 100 anahks (kilometers) away.
Yaawo-Ana, City of Trees
Rising from Lanoran mists, as mountain from a womb of trees
what bluff of bark does soar, devoid of tropic spire in voice of breeze?
Where once was green is broad of stump, whose heights live in the house of rain
whose monolith of shadow fall across the Csarathakwan Plain
Tis foot of Yaawo-Ana, grand of tree so long be cleaved of bough
tis branch of ancient seed, who after Age still raise a regal brow
Tis foot of Yaawo-Ana, eye of earth which stares into the cloud
where Ou-Ti people shelter in the Ferrigfern and misted shroud
All travel through Lanoran bush, when come upon her be amazed
confusing cliff of Yaawo for a sheer of rock so sudden raised
And though her canopy be shorn still hand of root holds fast to deeps
and fingerlets of wood do touch the face of Earth who never sleeps
Tis foot of Yaawo-Ana great in breadth as blot out much of sky
tis branch of ancient seed who mothered forest now surrounded by
Tis foot of Yaawo-Ana mouth of Earth which speaks to open Ear
where Ou-Ti people carve a home and all her words do strain to hear
And wonder all who look upon how taken were her boughs so high
and myth and tale be told to speak an answer to the How and Why
Amd unaware seems tree of old that absent are her branches all
and live devoid of canopy does foot of Yaawo-Ana tall
Yes foot of Yaawo-Ana grand of tree so long be cleaved of bough
tis branch of ancient seed who after Age still raise a regal brow
Tis foot of Yaawo-Ana mouth of Earth who speaks to Sea of Sky
where Ou-Ti people shelter in the shadow of her Wooden Eye
Original watercolor painting, 18x24, matted
$500
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