'a unique work that reveals the need to reconsider the use of light in public spaces' Xavier trteys 
'recycled bikes repurposed into street lamps, provide light to the night of Mali villages' Maja Fueter 
'coverage from the villages' Sebastien Rieussec 
'a fascinating research on ethnography and design' Giampaolo Colletti 
Foroba Yelen is a forefront solution to overcome darkness in rural Mali created by the italian architect Matteo Ferroni in 2010 to homage the rich malian culture with a new tool, a new space, a new beauty.
'I considered light a cultural phenomena -rather then a technological challenge- wishing to brighten life rather than space. Ultimately I turned the tree shade into light, pursuing harmony between tool, culture and nature'. M. Ferroni
Moving from Peter Kropotkin writings on independent communities, in 2010 arch Ferroni ran an anthropological study on rural Mali looking for signs of collaboration within social ties, work and geography. Eventually, he introduced the concept of 'collective light' , a portable lamppost shared as tool for work, education and cults, as opposite to conventional public space lighting.
In 2011 Matteo Ferroni created the first prototype of portable lamp from an old bike. Since then he worked out its details with local craftsmen so that it could be replicateed anywhere in Mali. One year later, through the expertise of lighting engineers, even the LED unit could be worked on site.
On the initiative of Fondazione eLand the project was experimented in the Commune Rurale de Cinzana. Local craftsmen were trained and kits of four lamps were locally manufactured and delivered to women collectives from 25 villages and 3 health care centres. The experience provided work and generated a new life after dark when everyone is back to the village… this tree of light impressively improved the life of a community accustomed to the glimmer of flashlights and the moonlight.
The project is a replicable model of a potentially huge impact on energy use. Fondazione eLand will soon release a handbook to allow every community to make their own lamps. For enquiries write to forobayelen@eland.org
Alassane Dimbo Keita (Faso Gnietaa), Yusuke Katsura (JICA), Ruvani Fonseka (Peace Corps), Youssouf Tata Cissé (ethnologist), Mauro Favalli (lighting engineer), Rokia Traoré (singer composer), Valentina Dellavia (scenographer), Aly Kouriba (IER Mali), the women association of Sanogola village
