Madimikira| Exploring idiomatic expressions in ‘Imbwa Nyoro’
In a previous post, I shared the similes (fananidzo) and metaphors (enzaniso) that I encountered while reading the Shona novel Imbwa Nyoro, a 1982 novel … Read more
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Fananidzo neEnzaniso| A look at the 1982 novel ‘Imbwa Nyoro’
There’s something I love about reading Shona novels from decades past — stories written before I was even born. These works offer a richer experience … Read more
Why Shona learning matters, and how to make it easy
Ever since I took on my first learner back in 2019, Shona learning has become a subject dear to me. I believe proficiency in more … Read more
What do ancestors have to do with the indigenous religion of the Shona?
The Shona people believe in a Supreme Being, whom they call by different names. These names include Musikavanhu, Musiki, Mwari, Nyadenga, Samasimba, Samatenga, Wedenga, Musikarudzi, … Read more
Nyaudzosingwi| Many Shona words for 101 English verbs
This post was last updated on 12 January 2025. Adverbs Adverbs are words that modify or describe words such as verbs, adjectives, clauses, sentences, and … Read more
Madimikira| 28 idioms from the 1968 novel ‘Tambaoga Mwanangu’
After reading China manenji hachifambisi I wrote on idioms (madimikira) that the writer, Mordikai A. Hamutyinei, used in the story. I decided to do the … Read more
A Shona legend| The Hera chief and a cave
A legend is a traditional story that is believed to be true. Some legends on the origins of the Shona people detail how large societies … Read more
Polygamy in traditional Shona society, as told in ‘Tambaoga Mwanangu’
A polygamous family I’ve just started reading ‘Tambaoga Mwanangu.’ This is a story about how an eighteen year old boy, Tambaoga, went about trying to … Read more
The Tembo-Shumba Samaita clan
1. Why Tembo-Shumba? I have come across a number of differing accounts on this clan. In one of them, it is stated that Tembo-Shumba (‘Zebra-Lion’) is … Read more