Tsumo| Generational wisdom from 20 Shona proverbs
Proverbs are regarded as a source of knowledge and wisdom passed down through generations.Below are twenty Shona proverbs together with an explanation of what inspired … Read more
Language
Tsumo| 20 Shona proverbs inspired by animals
Traditionally, hunting and agriculture have been the primary means of livelihood for the majority of Zimbabweans. It is therefore not surprising that a large number … Read more
Should children maintain their native language?
To speak, or not to speak? There is a widely held view or belief that children should learn to speak their native language. By native … Read more
Zvirahwe| 30 riddles to solve the riddle of the forgotten Shona riddles
Chipari/ Chirabwe / Chirahwe/ Chirapi The above are all Shona words for ‘riddle.’ A riddle is, simply put, a trick question. Zvirahwe put to test … Read more
Madimikira| 20 idioms from the 1981 novel ‘China manenji hachifambisi’
China manenji hachifambisi, chinomirira kuti mavara acho aonekwe While reading the novel China manenji hachifambisi, I was intrigued by the idioms (madimikira) used in the … Read more
Nyaudzosingwi| 70 ways to fall in Shona: Ideophones that describe falling (with examples)
Nyaudzosingwi bring out emphasis The following 70 nyaudzosingwi describe the act of falling. Reference was made to the Standard Shona Dictionary (M. Hannan, S.J.) for … Read more
No to Xenophobia| A word to the wise. 10 ‘tsumo’ (Shona proverbs) on friendship and enmity
It’s a vicious cycle of hate A headline from today’s paper reads, ‘South Africa migrant attacks: ‘Why can’t we live with peace?’ Then another reads, … Read more
Celebrating Women Humanitarians| 25 ‘Tsumo’ (Shona proverbs) to celebrate our sheroes
Today we celebrate World Humanitarian Day Celebrated every year on 19 August, World Humanitarian Day is directed towards paying tribute to aid workers around the … Read more
Mwedzi| Shona names of months and Zimbabwean life in traditional society
This post was last updated on 5 July 2022. A tale of the moon, cycles and the seasons The names of the months tell a … Read more
There’s a hundred and one Shona nouns to describe ‘her’: mazita anoreva vakadzi
The below are only some of the many Shona nouns used to describe women, including a few gender neutral ones. Most of the descriptions given … Read more