Context (Production / use)
Catalogue card: 'Used in markets as measures for sale of grains, pulses and flours. Each Kaihuri is specific to only one type of foodstuff for which it serves as a measure. Size of a measure varies according to seasonal fluctuations in supply of grains and pulses. In times of short supply measures are pared down slightly, the price per measure remaining the same. Weight obtained from different vendors of same produce is remarkably uniform.'

Event Date 1/4/1999
Author: Louise Puckett

Context (Related Documents)
NB. See Dr Fisher's notes in the paper archives. Included is a table relating to the use of the individual measures.
Event Date 1/4/1999
Author: Louise Puckett

Context (References)
(bio) (female collector/donor): Jeanne Fisher.
For further information on this collection see the notes section of the database record for 1999.20 A-B. See Dr Fisher's notes in the paper archives.
Event Date 1/4/1999
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card for 1999.26 A-J: 'Small calabashes cut in half longitudinally to give a shallow bowl-shaped base with part of the neck serving as a handle. Base varies in diameter from about 4.8 cm to 7.7 cm and in depth from 2.2 cm to 4.2 cm according to their intended use. Handle varies in length from about 2.8 cm to 5 cm. Colour inside is creamish and outside ranges from light to dark brown. Undecorated.
Event Date 1/4/1999
Author: maa

Context (Production / use)
'Kiihuri was made of half of a calabash gourd. The gourd was cut in half longitudinally to give a shallow bowl-shaped base with part of the neck serving as a handle. Kiihuri was used to serve traditional Kikuyu porridge (ũcũrũ). It was also used in milking, with the half calabash held with one hand. It was thought that milking an animal into any vessel other than the usual half calabash, e.g. into a European white enamelled bowl, was likely to make it go off.'

Description provided by Diana Mwangi Chausiku as part of the Rethinking Relationships project, 15th December 2020.
Event Date 15/12/2020
Author: Benjamina Dadzie

Description (Physical description)
Kiihuri. Calabash spoon used for measuring grain at markets and for serving traditional Kikuyu porridge. Made from a gourd cut in two creating a shallow bowl with the stem as the neck/handle.
Event Date 16/3/2022
Author: Louise Puckett