Is the Baobab tree a good foundation for the MetaSpace logo?

We have been working with the idea that our logo should be based on the Baobab tree. Today here in Arusha we were visited by Christopher ole Ndangoya who Rafael has known for many years. I ask them about the Baobab tree. This is their story.

The meaning of the Baobab to the Maasai.

The Maasai name for the tree is Ol-Mesera. It is a shelter during a long walk in the bush. In the dry season, when there is nothing for the goats to eat you take the fruits , crush the seeds and give to animals.

You can often find beehives in the Baobab from where you can get honey. Standing there alone in the bush it can also be an observation point for warriors, looking out for poachers or enemies.

Observing the Baobab you also can get indications for weather, weather forecasts. For exemple, when the flowers of the tree are early this is an indication of rain which allows for preparations of the shifting of animals from one area to another.

In times of lot of rain the tree knows it can absorb lots of water for future use. It is an enormous storage tank of water. Even though the baobab is very hard and massive, it is not wood but made of fibres. The water is stored almost as if the Baobab was a spunge.

The tree is a symbol for beauty, standing alone in the plains, symbolizing the mother of their land. The fruits are somewhat similar to cocoa. If you taste them you can feel the taste of chocolate. The fruits can be added to hot or cold water to make a drink. You can mix it with honey and put in wine or beer to make a drink.

The seeds can be used as markers in games and the Bao game got it’s from the seeds. There has been proven scientic research showing many nutritional and medical values of the fruit. Twice as much Vitamin C as in oranges. Great effect the immunal system of the body, with effects close to that of Aloa Vera

It is a plant with lots of qualities. High up in the tree the trunk kan form water reservoirs and there can be caves where you can sleep for the night.

An image of a crying Baobab tree has been used in environmental programs as a symbol for the fight against deforestation. It is in a way becoming a picture of a crying mother earth. There are children stories where parents will tell them that if they are not behaving in a good way the tree will be sad, angry or cry. Or in the worst instance, the Baobab might swallow them. Or even being grabbed by the baobab and hung up as a fruit in the tree.

The Baobab is not really threatened by deforestation. The wood is not useful for burning. But if the Baobab is made lonely by the cutting down of trees in the surroundings it can die slowly by loneliness.

So what do you think about this tree as a metaphor for MetaSpace?