Zulu spoon

(late 19th C.)
Historically, the African culture knows a great variety of the most fantastically sculpted spoons. These were only used at special occasions. Normally one ate with the (right) hand, but during a festive meal or a ceremony the spoon was used to share the food which was sometimes sacred. According to Zulu-custom, the cutting of a spoon was a men's privilege. The spoon was kept in a basket which was woven by women. The spoon had a great symbolic value. For example, a young bride was not allowed to share a meal with her husband, before her family had exchanged a goat with the groom's family. This animal was named 'the goat of the spoon' because the bride received a spoon at the same time.