It is sort of a tradition to have ugali and condiments for our family Christmas meal.  This wooden spoon is designed to stir ugali as it comes to a boil.  One must stir harder as it gets firmer and firmer in the pot.

For years Africans ate ugali as their staple.  Rice came along later so a family can use either one for a nice meal.  Our Christmas meal this year had both.  Rice you eat with a spoon, ugali with washed fingers.