Throne called the "sedia gestatoria". Originally, the "sedia" was used as part of the elaborate procession surrounding papal ceremonies that was believed to be the most direct heir of pharaonic splendor, and included a pair of flabella (fans made from ostrich feathers) to either side. Pope John Paul I at first abandoned the use of these implements, but later in his brief reign began to use the "sedia" so that he could be seen more easily by the crowds. However, he did not restore the use of the flabella. The use of the "sedia" was abandoned by Pope John Paul II
The House of Discarded Dreams strength and confidence in herself, which she has always been searching for. Vimbai is attempting to discover who she is but also struggles with the notion of being stuck between cultures, having strictly raised African parents, and Vimbai being born American, but raised with the two cultures as her influence in life. Select aspects of the Zimbabwean culture, such as the Shona language and religion, show up in "The House of Discarded Dreams". Sedia also employs on the Zimbabwean folkloric character called the "wazimamoto", a fire-truck driving vampiric character that is traditionally seen as stealing the "cultural blood" of the