"Thursday 22 February 1906 [underlined] 12 wooden spoons came into my possession through Sembe-Muhesa [?] and it is strange how the native Fundi [craftsmen] always manage to give these objects a different shape or design. Everything is carved from one piece [underlined]: [drawing with length] 48 cm / The decoration in the middle black band are white rings with white dots on a burnt grounthe They are very regular and must have come into the hands of the performer from some European instrument. This kind of decoration seems to have pleased the performer extraordinarily, because the instrument was used everywhere. [Here the rings [detail drawing] are white on a white grounthe Only the large lines are black, the small notches are white. [p.89] [several drawings of objects a-g, some with detail drawings and inscriptions:] [drawing spoon with detail drawing] a / 5 ring-dot pairs / 5 ring-dot pairs / white on black / handle from the side [detail drawing spoon style] b / likewise style below [detail drawing spoon style] e / likewise ring pattern changed: all white on black ground also one finds 3 rows of rings next to each other [drawing spoon style] d / double spoon / rings white on black / same [drawing spoon style] side view [drawing spoon style] e / spoon with bent style / decoration with ring pattern as above [detail drawing spoon style] f / same but smaller and the bent part of the style extended [detail drawing spoon style] g / same but the bent part has a different shape [. ..]" [Spoon 61 corresponds to drawing d in the diary]” [translation]

source: Museum der Kulturen Basel, VI 56197, 46 (98)
author: Karl Braun

"61. Wooden spoon, like 58 / double spoon / TB 46,89 / [drawing]" [translation]

source: Museen Stade, r 2018 / 18566 (61)
author: Karl Braun

In 1934, the former director of the Biological Imperial Institute for Agriculture and Forestry (Biologische Reichsanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft) Karl Braun (1870–1935) gave the so-called “Kolonialsammlung Braun” (Colonial Collection Braun) to the Hanseatic City of Stade, or rather its representative, the then mayor Hans Arthur Meyer (1884–1961). See the file „Transfer of a colonial collection from the senior government councillor Professor Dr. Karl Braun in Stade to the City of Stade” („Überlassung einer Kolonialsammlung vom Oberregierungsrat Professor Dr. Karl Braun in Stade an die Stadt Stade") at the Lower Saxony State Archives Stade (Niedersächsischen Landesarchiv Standort Stade).

source: Niedersächsisches Landesarchiv Standort Stade, Dep. 10 Nr. 03025

In 1997, the then city archivist Jürgen Bohmbach concludes a permanent loan agreement with the Museum Society Stade (Museumsverein Stade e.V.), for which the then director Gerd Mettjes signs. Thereafter, the collection from Karl Braun is transferred to the care of the Museum Society Stade (Museumsverein Stade e.V.).

source: Museen Stade, Vereinbarung Leihgabe "Brauns'sche Kolonialsammlung"

I: Okay, now I do have another photo with registration number 2028_18545_001, look and tell us what is this? R: It is Mwiko, in Sambaa we call it Wiko I: Wiko? R: Eeeeh! I: How was it being used? R: The wiko was being used in eating the pure (mixture of beans and corn), that was how it was being used I: It was used just like a spoon. R: Eeeeh I: So, it was only used in eating the pure or was used otherwise as well? R: They were also used in drinking some soup, they also used the wiko I: Wiko R: Eeeeh! Wiko I: So, it was used like a spoon? R: Eeeeh! I: It was not used for cooking. R: No I: Aaah! It was not for cooking? R: Yes I: Which ethnic group were commonly using wiko? R: I commonly saw it in Lushoto, particularly the Sambaa and the Mbugu I: The Sambaa and the Mbugu from Tanga region? R: Eeeeh! I: Okay, was it also used in drinking some porridge or it was only for pure? R: Eeeh! They liked using it in eating the pure or drinking some soup, and things like that I: Which gender preferred using the wiko mostly? R: It was commonly used with the Sambaa and the Mbugu I: Was it the males or females? R: It was the females I: Of which age? R: There was not a specific age, it was only used that way I: Okay, do you think that it will reach a time when these objects will be no longer needed, or they are still in use till today? R: In some interior parts of Lushoto they are still being used I: But the rate of use has decreased? R: Yes, it has now decreased I: Why do you think the use of Wiko has decreased in your community? R: It is because of the modern life, for example a person like you has come here, I will not give you wiko hahahaah! It would be impossible I: Why? R: Maybe I should first tell you that this is wiko, and if you would like to use it, I will then give you I: So, what has replaced the use of wiko in the current times? R: Aaah! It is the spoons I: The iron spoons. R: Eeeh! I: Aaaah! To use the wiko you must have some soup or pure, what else should be in place? R: Those are the only uses of it I: Where did the ‘pure’ being put to be used by wiko? R: There was a plate made by clay soil I: In that time in the year 1950’s, and years back there were plates made of soil? R: Eeeeh! I: Okay, are the wiko still being made in Lushoto? R: You will find them in a place called kwamakame I: Makame? R: Yes, Makame in Lushoto, eeeeh! You will not miss them there I: In Lushoto? R: Eeeeh! I: Okay, between males and females who used to make wiko? R: It was the males I: The males? R: Yes I: Why it was the males who made the wiko? R: I don’t know hahahaah! Maybe they were the ones who were good at it I: The males of which age? R: I only found the men at the market place I: Of which age in average? R: From fifty years maybe I: Okay, what are the materials which was used to make wiko? R: It was only wood I: Wood? R: Eeeeh! I: The plate? R: The plate was being made of a clay soil, when I blended my red pepper, I poured it on it that’s how it was I: So, the partner of wiko was the clay plate? R: Eeeeh! I: Okay, so wiko was being made of wood? R: Eeeeh! I: When you take a closer look in to the design of the previous wiko and bring it in the current environment, how much would they being sold? R: One Thousand five hundred, I would buy them I: One Thousand five hundred only? R: Eeeeh!

source: Amani-Stade Project / Amani Field Research 2023, Interview No. 06
author: I: Mohamed Seif, R: Anonymous