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Buugeng is a curve-based kinetic instrument created by Dai Zaobab. A single Buugeng consists of two folding C-shaped blades that lock together and unfold in opposite directions to form a flat S-shaped staff. Two of these Buugeng are played together to create stunning geometric illusions. A triple Buugeng consists of three C-shaped blades emerging from a three-pointed centerpiece with a hole in the middle.

Etymology
Buugeng, a registered trademark of Dai Zaobab, can be translated as martial arts illusion. He created this name from three Japanese words. The “buu” comes from bujyutsu (martial arts), referring to the similarities between martial arts and the curves and circular nature of the Buugeng itself as well as the movements of Buugeng play. The “geng” originally came from the Japanese word mugeen (infinity), because the infinity symbol is frequently manifested in Buugeng play. After some time, it was decided that a better description of the art came from the Japanese words, gen and genwaku, which translate as illusion.

History
Dai Zaobab created the first generation Buugeng out of wood in 2003 in Seychelles. The curvy nature of the Buugeng was inspired by vague memories of seeing Michael Moschen’s S-staff play in “Moschen in Motion” he had seen years before while living in Africa. He didn’t remember the shape, just that it wasn’t straight, so the first Buugeng was much larger and included extra curves not found in the modern Buugeng. Dai practiced and performed with this large Buugeng for 4 years until he was headed to the 2007 South African Juggling convention and decided that it was just too big to carry and travel with. He cut out the extra curves in the middle section and put the two ends together to form the modern S-shaped Buugeng of today.

The first widespread exposure came in 2007 through Dai Zaobab’s first place entry in Home of Poi’s Circle of Light video competition. That same year, he brought the Buugeng to the Burning Man festival in the United States. Shortly after, in the United States, Dai began the first round of production of hand-made Buugeng for sale. Dai subsequently made Buugeng in South Africa and then Japan.

External Links:
www.zaobab.com