Made in Mauritius

Funky teapots at the Mystica studio, Mauritius.

A range of funky teapots, made to order. Individually hand made, no two are the same.
Come to the studio for a visit and choose your favorite teapot.

Tribal Harmony – The Way of the Fijian

Eighteen degrees South of the equator in the East Pacific ocean lie the three hundred and thirty three island nation of Fiji.

The Fijians are different from other Pacific nations in that they are the only Pacific people descended from Africa.  They are renowned for their navigational skills till today which makes sense when you think of the incredible distance they had to travel by boat in ancient times to get to Fiji from Tanganyika (the modern Tanzania). The legend of their mysterious journey is another story for another day because for now, I would like to tell you about their inherent synchronicity with nature.

A tribal people who still own their land, the Fijians live simply, surrounded by immaculate gardens of coconut palms, hibiscus and banana trees in tidy traditional huts devoid of clutter. The traditional ‘sulu’ or sarong is still worn by everyone and they will greet you with a friendly and open ‘bula’ smile which represents a welcoming peace and harmony. 

Kava ceremony

 Originally used only by the Chief, it has become an almost every day occasion or at least every weekend on the mainland.  On the outer, more remote islands, it is more traditional and just as often. Joining our tribe at a Kava ceremony we present a ‘sevu sevu’ - an authentic Kava root to the honorable Chief.

Most late afternoons, one can hear the sound of the Kava root being pounded with a large metal pestle and mortar type apparatus, a friendly clanging sound in the distance. The powdered root is squeezed with water in a cloth and poured into a Kava bowl, carved from the Wesi tree.

We are all invited to sit in a circle on a natural woven mat. The ‘bilo’ (coconut shell)  is filled, low-tide, high-tide or tsunami and is passed around.

The diluted, powdered root tastes like bark. Our tongues instantly go numb. A few members play the ukulele between rounds. The laughter comes as naturally as the deep blue waves in the nearby lagoon. The kava ceremony exudes a certain tranquility and everyone is free to tease, to laugh out loud and everyone does, for hours and hours.

We laugh from our bellies, a deep, loud, satisfying laugh, full of substance (excuse the pun). We giggle, chuckle, fall down laughing. We laugh at each other’s shortcomings and make fun of each other’s mistakes. It is an intelligent laugh, a knowing laugh, a kind laugh, a laugh that symbolizes acceptance and respect for the natural world.

In spite of the many hardships around their daily existence, the Fijian demonstrate a certain grace. Their attitude and way of life is to be admired and their ancient traditions to be cherished. We can learn a great deal from these gentle and strong people and should grant them the utmost respect.

To make things all the more intriguing, to be angry in Fijian culture is taboo. Imagine that………to be angry is taboo. This is the way of the tribal Fijian.

Related articles:

http://lynfuchs.blogspot.com/2013/01/primal-wilderness-rambling-from-pacific.html

By Maiyan Karidi @ www.mysticaartdesign.com

Lucky shots

I haven't been around my blog for a while and have decided to try to share at least one post each week from now on. Although I have been 'away' from cyberspace, I have been very present on the ground! We have had great Raku workshops and many interesting art sessions with some new students.

Today I thought I would share some pictures I took around Mauritius with my silly little half-dead camera, who sometimes surprises me with an interesting shot. 

This series I named "reflections".

Maybe you have some lucky shots to share? I love those spontaneous moments when we just catch something in the moment, without thought, without planning. As I drove past an average shop on an average day, I caught those mannequins before being dressed up, beside the Hindu statue...........so surreal.

 

 

Color Journeys

Color Journeys – A Turquoise Adventure

Wherever I go, I search for beautiful colors.

They jump out at me from all kinds of places. From forests and oceans, infinite open skies and deserts at twilight to local markets full of mysterious fruits and strange vegetables, rich spices and playful people.

Sometimes I search for what I need. The color to calm me down or liven me up, to stimulate my mind or  touch my heart.

I am writing this for you, to give you the color you need.

So, I will begin with turquoise, just because it’s special. It’s a blend. An exotic mixture of emerald green and clear-sky blue.

Are you a turquoise person?

Turquoise people are communicative, well-adjusted and optimistic. They are capable, child-like and dreamy. Turquoise people have awareness. They are calm, introspective and self-reliant. Turquoise people say what they feel and place most of their energies on personal relationships.

When do we need turquoise?

We need turquoise when we are feeling stressed or suffering from tension and anxiety. Turquoise supports us, refreshes and stimulates. Turquoise revives our soul and reconnects us with nature.

So, on my search for turquoise the most beautiful I found on my travels was the deep turquoise of the coral reef lagoons in the Pacific and Indian Ocean.

On a voyage in a small (and I mean tiny) fishing vessel in the vast, open Pacific, the mesmerizing color helps me to ignore the fact that we have no GPS, no mobile phone, possibly not enough diesel, not enough drinking water and no food at all.

‘Oh look, flying fish!’ leaping out of the blue. No land in site. I wonder, how does this nonchalant Fijian fisherman know where he is?

I ask him and he replies with a grin ‘the color of the water’. I nod, as though I understand and it explains everything. We continue, slowly, very slowly. The sun is approaching the horizon.

‘How much longer to the island’? I ask, trying not to look concerned.

‘No worries’ he shouts. ‘Senganalenga.’

Well, OK then. I stare at the colors and they comfort me. Then the engine cuts. Silence.

‘What happened?’ I ask calmly.

‘Oh nothing’ he says, ‘there are Wahloo over there’.

‘Wahloo?’

‘Yes Wahloo’ he says. ‘Very good fish – for dinner – we do some fishing’.

‘Ahh’ I sigh. ‘No rush’?

‘No rush’ he answers.

I focus on the turquoise and try to shut out the voice in my head.

They are fishing. They are content. They are totally in the present.

I decide that the best thing for me would be to join them in the now.

So I stare at the blue eternity, watch the sun touch the horizon and smile.

We all need a little healing. We are all a little battered and bruised by life and while we are on this incredible journey we need a little help from the rainbow – it’s a free gift from the never-ending cosmos.

The Last Tree

The Last Tree

I dreamed about a pirate ship

Sailing the turquoise sea

The pirates, wild and crazy women

One of them was me

I looked up at the mast so high

And saw it was a tree

A gentle swaying tree of life

Escaped catastrophe

My instincts whispered “keep it safe,

Nurture, love and feed”

Protect it from all human harm

Sail away from greed

That night I heard a subtle cry

I touched the leafy mast

A seed pod dropped into the ocean

The tree said “that’s my last”

A poem by Maiyan Karidi @ Mystica Art & Design

Omada dance show at Beau Plan

On Saturday evening we were super inspired by the magnificent dance show at Beau Plan ........Cecile Gonzales' creation.
Her personal power just blows me away every time and I feel privileged to know such a talented and dedicated artist. She is a master of her craft and the artist I most admire and appreciate. Her energy and vibration really touches my heart.

The dancers showed us their personal styles, their individuality and their versatility in a short space of magnificent time.  Here are a few pics just to get an idea.

Then, on Sunday evening after Torin's violin lesson, Tovi and Skander piled a bunch of Udu's into the car and went to join a little jam session at Le Phare Kiltir Loft. Skander enjoyed joining in with the violin. Thank you Menwar, Eddy and friends for the special jazzy evening of improvisation and chilled out musical magic. Sorry I don't have pics to share yet, but in the meantime, here is a picture of Torin and Skander at her violin lesson at Mystica Art studio and Tovi's  latest crazy Udu.......'The Pipe Dream'.......

So, it was a weekend full of beautiful and creative people just doing their thing, with great passion!

The Art of living in our Environment - the natural man

Today, I just have to share this beautiful story.
A simple man and his family are living so directly with their resources.
With our modern life-style we have moved so far away from the essence, so far away from the simple things that sustain us. We have no idea where most of the food on our table comes from, or the furniture in our houses, or virtually anything we own. Imagine if we could trace each one of our possessions to where they originate? Who made them, harvested them, cut, sewed, sorted, picked, built them? What do their lives look like?
The coffee we drink each morning, the clothes we put on, the toothpaste, the cereal, the medications, the shoes? We have absolutely no connection with the source of anything we use anymore.

But maybe I am a little off the subject.......although it is all connected.

What I really want to share is this little story, or BIG story I should say.
A simple man, who did not need to go to university and earn a degree, attend conferences and summits, to know what the environment needs.

Watch for yourself and let me know what you think. To me, it is SUPER inspiring. It makes me happy and sad at the same time. Why can't we all be busy with nurturing rather than destroying?
We are mostly unaware of the destruction we are supporting by feeding our every day habits.

Take a look: