ISKANDAR PUTERI, Malaysia – Christmas would not be complete for Rufaro Praise (pic) without sadza.
The 21-year-old Zimbabwean quantity surveying major at University of Reading Malaysia said her family would always make the delicacy for Christmas.
“We have sadza as one of the items in our Christmas feast, usually involving barbecue,” she said.
Traditionally, sadza is made with finely ground dry maize and eaten from a communal bowl.
Praise reminisced about sadza and family ties when met at EduCity’s Red and Spicy EduCity Christmas Dance 2017 here on Wednesday night.
She said although she enjoyed being in Malaysia for the past eight months, she missed her family, especially when she would be celebrating Christmas away from home for the first time.
But she will attempt to make sadza here for her friends.
“Christmas is all about sharing,” she said.
Filipino Ian Christopher Bico, 23, said he likes celebrating Christmas in Malaysia.
“People like to celebrate various festivals together, like Deepavali, Hari Raya or Christmas.
“In the Philippines, there are only two major festivals, Christmas and Chinese New Year,” said Bico, who is doing his final year in psychology.
He added that he would miss the big family gatherings held during Christmas.
EduCity student affairs vice president Dr Cheryl Chan said the dance was held to provide an avenue for students, staff and partners of EduCity to mingle and bond.
“The event serves to unite the various entities of EduCity outside of work and foster closer relationships between the people here.
“Plus, it is an occasion for everyone to have fun,” she added.
Located in Iskandar Malaysia, EduCity is an enclave of higher learning institutions, student accommodations and recreational facilities. – The Star
