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 fine, I have another picture registered with the number 2018_18256_001 R: This is an example of a knife, but it is a „Nyengo“. I: Okay, so there are „Nyengo“ with roundish at the back. R: No, they have a part for putting a handle. I: So that can be another example of a „Nyengo“? R: Yes. I: Fine, now how did you identify that it is „Nyengo“? R: I was able to identify it the way it was made here. I: „Nyengo“ is a name of which community? R: I think it is the community of Bena, but it is called „fauna“ I: Fauna is of which language? R: Fauna is in English language. I: But in Bena language it is „Nyengo“? R: Yes, they call it „Nyengo“. I: Okay fine, and “Nyengo“ is mostly used in which regions? R: There are different types of „Nyengo“....I think the ones I know are of two types, there is a “Nyengo“ that looks like a knife for cutting tea leaves, and the second type is a “Nyengo“ with a big handle like a jembe for cutting into the bush, so there is a small “Nyengo“ for cutting tea leaves and a big “Nyengo“ that has a big handle like a jembe, which is used by the Wabena. I: So, in which regions are the Bena community mostly found? R: In Iringa region, Mbeya, but they came here to work in the tea farming. I: So „Nyengo“ is mostly used in tea leaves cutting? R: Yes. I: Apart from tea cutting, what other thing is used on? R: Like this one you can even use it to cut grass. I: lives, for instance to the community that uses the “Nyengo“ like the Bena community as you mentioned? R: For the Bena community it is like their tradition because they make the big ones, so in cutting the tea I see the knives are getting lost because they have brought a machine, currently they are cutting tea with a machine replacing these “Nyengo“ which was in use. I: So due to the development of technology that “Nyengo“ are disappearing, the machines have removed the“Nyengo“ that nowadays they are no longer in use? R: Oh, the machine really works, for instance two people can bigger forest within less time. I: So the use of “Nyengo“ has decreased? R: Yes. I: Now for those who use them for cutting grass, do you think they will continue using them or they will move to machines too? R: They will still be used let's say in grass cutting, but many people are using pangas because you cannot go cutting grass in the forest using that mashine, the mashine uses petrol, it looks like motorbike engine infront it has plate like a knife for cutting. I: Which gender were mostly using „Nyengo“, were they the female or male? R: They were used by men. I: Of which age? R: From the young people, when he went to the farm, he used it. I: Why was it men are the ones who mostly used the „Nyengo“? R: They were using them because most of the activities were done by men. I: I want to know why only men? R: Men were the ones using them the most, for example, women were not involved in cutting tea, and in farm activities it was also rarely being used by women, maybe if there were small jobs in the farm that was when she could use it. I:In the tea cutting was it because men were strong or there was another reason? R: I think it was only the part of men to use it. All: Laughing. I: Fine, and when using „Nyengo“, what else should be used together with it? R: For instance, when cutting tea you only use the „Nyengo“, this is because the tea leaves are of the height of your chest, so you just hold the leaves different from cutting on the ground which you don’t know what is in there, however, you can hold without the “Nyengo“ but really the “Nyengo“ helps you to hold the leaves well because it is carved, you hold it and cut, which is different from using a panga. I: Does “Nyengo“ currently still being made? R: Nowadays I don't know but I think they are never brought; they are often used in farms but in our place, machines are the ones use. I: Do you remember what year was the last time you used „Nyengo“, if you can remember? R: I used to use it at work but now I have one at home, I have left it. I: Do you still use it? R: If there is an activity for the “Nyengo“ to be used, then i use it. I: Very rarely? R: Yes. I: What year was the last time they were brought to work? R: Because I was a driver, I don't know what year was it but I worked until around 2017, I think that was the time they were brought, by that time I was only driving so I saw them brought and people were using them, but currently some people are buying for themselves, in companies they might not be brought so one has to buy for his own „Nyengo“. I: Where do they buy them? R: They buy them in town, for instance in Tanga at agricultural shop, the “Nyengo“ are available there but they are mostly for grass cutting for the cows. I: Okay, so many people are now buying them for cutting grass to the cows? R: Yes, you buy it for grass citting for the cows or you do it for your home activities. I: And what kind of gender do you think they make these “Nyengo“? R: I don't know because they are brought from abroad, you might find them labeled for instance Germany and whatsoever. I: The Germans saw them from us and probably they stole our technology and took it to their home and improved it. R: Yes, it is true. I: Can you identify what materials were used to make „Nyengo“? R: This is a type of metal. I: Can you tell what kind of metal is it? R: I don't understand. I: And according to the current changes, have you ever seen other“Nyengo“ made different from metal? R: No. I: So, they are all made of metal? R: What I came to see them maybe as decorations, nowadays young people with their necklaces the put on, he can put on something like this which is designed. I: It is a “Nyengo“ design but worn around the neck? R: Yes, in the shops selling necklaces, you will find every design. I: You had been using „Nyengo“, how much shillings can you buy a“Nyengo“ as the one seen here. R: Currently it is about Tsh. 12,000/=. I: Do you think it can be sold at 12,000/= now? R: It is due to the increase of prices, you could find in the previous years you bought the same item at a lower price, and currently you will buy at a higher price.

source: Amani-Stade Project / Amani Field Research 2023
author: I: Mohamed Seif, R: Anonymous