Wisdom Within: The Ritual of Amadou

Academic summary

Amadou is a unique fungal material derived from the tinder fungus. The material has a long-standing presence in European history, formerly used for both spiritual and practical purposes. Today, the tradition of amadou-making survives only among a few skilled artisans in rural Transylvania, Romania. 

Amadou provides a soothing sensation upon touch, serving as a tactile bridge between humans and the fungal organism. Wisdom Within: The Ritual of Amadou weaves cultural-historical and creative perspectives into an interdisciplinary project with artistic creations positioned at its core. The project recognizes amadou not merely as a material, but also as an experience, a community, and a ritual. It examines the aesthetic and design affordances of amadou, as well as the ways in which sensory engagement with the material shapes personal and communal identities. The satisfaction of working with amadou is closely tied to the meditative nature of the craft, as well as to a deeper cultural and social understanding of the material. The sense of attachment evoked by amadou serves as a material-sensory anchor for both the amadou-makers and the craft tradition, as well as for broader human-fungus relations within the context of artistic research. Using ethnographic methods, the research actively engages in the process of learning the craft, delving into its rich history, and connecting with the individuals who continue to practice the craft tradition in a small Transylvanian village.