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: I have another photo here, registered under number 2018_18307_1. [anonym], let’s hear from you — is there any difference between this one and the previous one? R1: They’re similar, but this one is called engerembe. It’s another kind of nyerembe, but basically it’s the same as any engerembe — just a nyerembe. I: So this one is also for young men who haven’t been circumcised, as well as for elders? R1: Yes, for young men who haven’t been circumcised, and also for elders. R3: But there are groups where everyone uses them — there’s no distinction between elders and youth. Like the Wasonjo — but in our region, there’s a clear difference. For example, with spears and warriors, the appearance of the spear itself tells you something. If it has dark wood in the center, that tells me the person is a senior warrior. The one with a lighter spear is a junior. So the appearance is what distinguishes a senior from a junior. I: Hahaha, alright. And what kind of tree was used to make it? R3: There's a tree called ngoja kidogo — they wait until it’s fully matured before cutting it. I: Ngoja kidogo? R3: Yes, it’s a tree with thorns — thorns like these. It’s called ngoja kidogo, or sometimes oiti. They look for a straight, mature section. When they cut it and split it down the middle, there’s an inner part — that’s what they carve. Even acacia, which around here is called nderesiri, is used in the same way. When split, it also has that inner part, which is then used for crafting. I: So acacia (mgunda) and oiti? R3: Yes, and others also use mpingo (African blackwood). I: The mpingo from Lushoto? Lushoto in Tanga region? R3: Yes, even around here you can find it in some areas. But if you cut it — it’s protected by the government. It’s state property, and if you're caught, you can face legal consequences.

source: Amani-Stade Project / Massai Field Research 2023 / Interview No. 08
author: I: Mohamed Seif, R1-3: Anonymous