Goaboabanga

Possibly the most well-known goaboabanga in the world is that of Dezevau, depicted on its flag

Goaboabanga are an artform originating in Dezevau, characterised by additive metalworking and stoneworking and used for symbolic and self-expressive purposes. It can be considered a form of sculpture or handicraft, and is characteristically geometric and abstract rather than depictive. It is believed to have originated in the first millennium BCE, where goaboabanga were hung on trees and houses for superstitious, signage or decorative reasons; while this is still practiced, goaboabanga are also used in stylised form as symbols or emblems, as keystones on arches and in jewelry. Their modern name comes from the Ziba goaboa meaning "circle" and banga meaning "symbol", referring to their circular shape and their symbolism.

Blazon

A system of blazon or crafting shorthand is used to describe goaboabanga.

Materials

While a wide range of materials may be used in the creation of goaboabanga, for symbolic purposes they can be generalised to a few. These traditionally include gold, silver, iron or steel, brass, ebony, ivory, wood, bone, lapis, ruby, diamond, emerald, sapphire, jade, amethyst, citrine, basalt, bluestone, marble, sandstone, clay and soapstone. In the modern day, some materials have been added to the set, such as aluminium, plastic (of blue, red, white, green, purple and yellow). These materials are given conventional names, typically the material most used for its type, but do not correspond exactly to any real materials, rather being designated based on visual appearance; for example, any non-reflective white rigid solid of animal origin will be referred to as bone, even if it is cartilage, tooth, or even ivory; the same is done with reflective substances for ivory; gold is often represented by any other similarly lustrous metallic substance, because of its price and softness.

Manufacture

Goaboabanga are traditionally handmade by artisans, but many are mass-produced where there is a market for them (e.g. the Dezevauni one).

Usage

Goaboabanga are highly symbolic, and many countries, geographical subdivisions and organisations have them. It is common to build a decorative gate to places with a goaboabanga as or on the keystone of the arch to symbolise the place. It was also formerly more common practice to hang many miniatures on trees to mark territory; this was done as the highly forested terrain typically obstructed views. Goaboabanga are also merely self-expressive, decorative art, and composition of them is regarded similarly to other creative arts; some creatively made goaboabanga are purchased to use as symbols, and their designs are recognised as intellectual property under Dezevauni law. They are common as badges, buttons or jewelry such as on rings or necklaces both as art and as symbols. It is also not uncommon to collect goaboabanga miniatures, which might be either purchased or made.