The Circle of the Fire

This narrative explores cultural heritage through the everyday ritual of a Nigerian family gathering to cook and share a meal. The small clay sculptures of a pot, mortar, and bowls become powerful symbols of community, nourishment, and the enduring warmth of home that serves as a safe haven anywhere in the world.

STORIES FROM ITALY

6/24/20261 min read

"When they asked us in the workshop what intangible heritage meant to us, my hands immediately sought the clay to shape three things: a mortar, some bowls, and a pot with its lid. Because when I think of what I carry inside, I don't think of a monument; I think of an open-air kitchen in the heart of Nigeria.

I think of the fire lit in the evening, as the sun goes down and the air cools. The clay pot over the fire is the center of gravity of my village: as long as that pot is steaming, no one is alone. I can still smell the spices rising into the air, and see my mother’s energetic, proud movements as she works the mortar, preparing food for us all.

To me, that food shared from the bowls wasn't just nourishment—it was a hug. When we sat in a circle, close together, sharing from the same bowl, every fear would fade away. My clay sculptures are small, but to me, they hold the warmth of that fire and the certainty that, wherever I go, that family circle will always be my safe place in the world."

HERS

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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hers@odyssea.com