Spoons

The spoon is not like in the West an utensil intended for eating or cooking. Most traditional African dishes are eaten with their fingers around a common container, especially if there are guests, as usually the boss or the parent eats alone. Decorated spoons are prestigious objects. They denote the rank and quality of their owners, usually women and, especially, the wives of clan leaders. Its use is ceremonial, whether religious or playful ceremonies. In addition to dances they also use in some magical rituals to collect the remains of the slaughtered animal and in some regions, as between the dan and the Baulé, are used in the great feast of rice, which is celebrated at the return of young people recently incinerated and usually circumcised. In some festivities the ladies of higher rank rival in the beauty of their spoons, true works of art, which they will use to distribute cereals to the most disadvantaged. Sometimes, spoon capacity measures the generosity of its owner. In some villages they are the exclusive property of the most hospitable woman. These spoons, for example among the dan, are called reward spoons because as a reward they receive them for their generosity or for their culinary gifts. Women keep and care for these spoons as if they were statues, and display them as true trophies. They are also the “weapons” of the representatives of the women’s associations who display them in ritual ceremonies or popular celebrations. The spoon, along with personal ornamentation, dresses and jewels, is the symbol that best defines the rank of the African woman. Those of the Baulé ethnic group, like all their production, are particularly beautiful. These prestigious objects have given rise to very original artistic creations. Generally the end of the mango is finished off by a reproduction of the traditional statues of the ethnic group, by an animal head, which is usually the totemic animal or by a hand that refers to the generous distribution of rice by its owner. In some ethnic groups, spoons may also belong to men, usually older men, who wear spoons hung with a sneeze during rites. if they were statues, and they display them as real trophies. They are also the “weapons” of the representatives of the women’s associations who display them in ritual ceremonies or popular celebrations. The spoon, along with personal ornamentation, dresses and jewels, is the symbol that best defines the rank of the African woman. Those of the Baulé ethnic group, like all their production, are particularly beautiful. These prestigious objects have given rise to very original artistic creations. Generally the end of the mango is finished off by a reproduction of the traditional statues of the ethnic group, by an animal head, which is usually the totemic animal or by a hand that refers to the generous distribution of rice by its owner. In some ethnic groups, spoons may also belong to men, usually older men, who wear spoons hung with a sneeze during rites. The Dan has three types and spoons: - The Mia Na spoon: small spoon to give food to the elderly. The top is five to eight centimeters long. - The Ya Bo Sie Mia spoon: which means spoon to distribute the cooked rice. It's the spoon that uses the Ko Dey, first woman, to cook. Large bucket, with handleable handle finished in triangle. - The Wa Ke Mia spoon: it is the festive or ceremonial spoons that honor the hospital woman. They measure more than forty centimeters. Wa Ke Mia spoons, to properly prepare the meal of circumcision, must be invested by a spirit, thus acquire a sacred rank. It is Wunkirle and its most important participation is in the “cow party or merit.” At this party women carry the singing voice. By planting their spoons they distribute rice, cauris and small pieces of currency to the most needy in the village. CUCHARA WA KEMIA It is a spoon richly decorated with beautiful sculptures, which is used in the festivities of the villages and confirms that its owner is a woman distinguished for her hospitality and generosity. And it is this woman that the village chief will ask to organize the ceremonial meal, which will normally be attended by numerous diners. The Wa Ke Mia is a symbol of the merit of its owners and a public recognition by the village. It will serve to distribute the rice and meat. And it is raised during the hospital woman's dance.