Huge Trees over People in the Famienkro 'village Square' in the N'zi-comoé Region of Southeastern Côte D'ivoire 1892

This drawing by Edouard Riou depicts a village square in Côte D'ivoire, dominated by huge trees. The trees serve as a focal point, their expansive canopies creating a natural gathering space. Trees have long been symbols of life, growth, and interconnectedness across cultures, reminding us of the mythical Tree of Life. The tree acts as a symbolic center, under which the community gathers. This recalls the ancient Greek tradition of holding assemblies in sacred groves, where the natural world facilitated governance and community building. We see the motif echoed, for example, in depictions of Buddha achieving enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, a symbol of profound spiritual awakening. Such recurring imagery suggests a universal human impulse to seek wisdom and make decisions under the protective presence of nature. Here, the emotional weight of the trees anchors the community, suggesting continuity, stability, and the subconscious need for rootedness in the natural world. These trees engage viewers on a deep, almost primal level, reminding us of our connection to nature. This is not a linear progression, but a cyclical one, constantly renewed.