” This book is the result of several years effort
developing skills for products from a typical
Zanzibari craft aimed at an international high
market.
These efforts match with the long-term
vision of the Department of Commercial Crops,
Fruits and Forestry (DCCFF) and that of MOTO
Cooperatives Network, which seek balancing
the need for poverty reduction at household level
and the sustainable utilisation of the natural resources.
Using materials illustrated in this book
MOTO has reaffirmed how the Wild Date Palm
(Phoenix reclinata) can best be used to produce
an environmentally friendly craft, the ukili,
particularly when prepared using solar energy.
Through these and the mobilisation of women
groups by DCCFFa large number of households
around Jozani-Chwaka Bay National Park
are now benefiting from the increasing demand
of the ukili products in Zanzibar Stone Town
and overseas.
Apparently, there is very little reference to this
craft, and the realisation of this book is the
testimony to the wealth of skills among the
women of Zanzibar.
Undoubtedly, the book shall provide
a good reference to some of the superb
plaiting patterns, which otherwise were consid-
ered non-existing in the coastal areas of Tanzania.
Over the last five years I have witnessed the
improvement of ukili products and designs to
which the author of this book, Antje Förstle,
has put personal initiatives. I would like to take
this opportunity to express my gratitude to her.
Now that the finest ukili patterns of the
Tanzanian coast have been documented, let’s
make the best use of it! “
DR. BAKARI S. ASSEID
Director– Department of Commercial Crops,
Fruits and Forestry, Zanzibar.
” … By sponsoring this book ‘Ukili Plaiting in
Zanzibar’ the Embassy has broken new ground:
that of documenting a threatened cultural
heritage.
The decision to support Antje Förstle’s
project idea was easy, thanks to her convincing
concept and catching enthusiasm. During
her research, it quickly became obvious that
a preoccupation with the ‘ukili’ plaiting craft
of the Swahili, which is in danger of being lost,
can last years and that the findings can fill
volumes, especially as ‘ukili’ has barely been
documented up to-date.
With this book, you hold the results of a year’s
committed research combined with numerous
journeys along the Tanzanian Swahili coast
and to the islands of Unguja, Pemba and Mafia,
as well as visits to the museum archives and
libraries in Munich and London.
May the book awaken in you the wish to experience for
yourself the ‘ukili’ diversity of colours and patterns
in Tanzania. By purchasing this book, you have
already rendered a contribution to the conservation
of this craft as the entire proceeds will go
towards the conservation and continued mediation
of old plaiting techniques, which are unfortunately
threatened by extinction.”
WOLFGANG RINGE
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany
Dar es Salaam
Dada Zanzibar 