Sadza
Richard Mudariki (b 1985)
Sadza - 2016
Acrylic on canvas
80 x 70 cm
Signed and dated bottom right
The domestic scene depicted in this painting portrays a typical
Shona custom of serving a meal of sadza. Sadza is the Shona
word for thickened porridge made from corn and is usually served
with a side dish. In traditional Shona culture the serving of a meal
such as sadza to the head of the family, the father, is a customary
ritual. It involves the washing of hands in a bowl presented by the
kneeling cook, usually a girl, and the clapping of hands to ask for
permission to eat, which the cook will then give. Once the meal
is finished, there is another clapping of hands to thank the cook,
followed by another washing of hands. The father would usually eat
his meal at the table, alone, or with his older sons.