Man in the Maze Basket
Alcohol Ink on 11-inch x 14-inch Yupo
Image shown in 16-inch x 20-inch White Finish Wooden Frame
with white double matting
Custom Framing and Free Shipping Available
Man in the Maze Basket
The Man in the Maze is a story that originates from the Tohono O'odham people. Before war broke out during the Spanish/Mexican battles, the N'de [Apache] and the Tohono O'odham built communities with all Natives in the Southwest. They learned from one another as well as other nations.
This changed during the 1800s when there was mass genocide and land being taken. The Native Southwest communities all began to fight for themselves and unfortunately, in order to survive, they also went to war with each other.
The Man in the Maze story still exists in Apache stories and the baskets are a reminder that at one time, we were all one people here.
The Man in The Maze
This figure is called Se:he or I’itoi (“Big Brother”) in the Tohono O’odham language. He is shown at the top of a labyrinth, or maze, and is often referred to as the “Man in the Maze”. For the Tohono O’odham, the symbol represents a person’s journey through life. The twists and turns represent choices made in life; with each turn, man becomes more understanding and stronger as a person.
In the middle of the maze, a person finds their dreams and goals. At the center (the last turn in the design), man has a final opportunity to look back upon his or her choices and path before they pass into the next world. Several other tribes related to the Tohono O’odham use the same or similar symbol, sometimes with a slightly different interpretation.