What Chicken Meat Parts Signify in Shona Culture

Please be advised that each and every piece of chicken meat signifies something very important in our Shona tradition. 

Zvirango izvi zvinoti:

1. Neck/Mutsipa/Musongorera - ndevababa wemusha. It signifies his role as  the overseer of his home against intruders and enemies.

2. Chest/Brisket/Chirowa dhibha - ndechababa wemusha. It signifies his role as the head of the family. Baba wemusha ndivo chete vane mvumo yekuzvirova dundundu kana vari pamba pavo.

3. The Lumbar-Sacrum/Coccyx/Besu/Chigara Manhenga - ndechababa wemusha. It signifies his reproductive role in the family. Mukadzi akaita mistake yekupakurira muyenzi wechirume Chigara Manhenga it's a very serious case that amounts to adultery and therefore warrants automatic divorce.

4. Gyser/Chikanganwa Hama - ndechababa wemusha. It signifies his role as the sole provider, the person whose duty it is to fend for the family. 

5. Liver/Chiropa/Chitaka - ndechababa wemusha - it signifies his role as the powerhouse of the family.

6. Thighs/Zvidya zvepamusoro x 2 - ndezvababa wemusha. They signify his sexual role in the family. 

7. Drum sticks x 2/ Zvidya zvepazasi - ndezvababa wemusha - They also signify his sexual role in the family.

8. In addition, baba wemusha, may have his own preferrance among the other pieces of meat not mentioned above e.g wings or musana which are meant for the mother and her children. 

However, this does not mean that he should substitute it with any of his designated pieces, no. His original pieces remain exclusively reserved for him.

Therefore, the total number of pieces meant for the father and head of the family are 9 out of 13.

Varume vose please be advised do not let your wives deprive you of your traditional rights.