This embroidery depicts a woman within her home compound (the rugo) as she prepares sorghum flour in the traditional Rwandan manner by using two stones: a small one (the ingasire) that is pushed over a larger one (the urusyo) to grind the flour. She works outside her traditional house within the fence (igikare). The background is rendered realistically, with banana trees outside the compound (rugo), and the volcanoes of Rwanda’s Northern Province in the distance.
Sorghum is one of the most important cereal grains grown in Rwanda. It is made into a nutritious porridge, as well as used for brewing beer. Sorghum is a good source of income for farmers.
This embroidery was donated to the Metro Baptist Church, 410 W40th Street, NY, NY in gratitude for their support and collaboration with the PAX Rwanda artists.