Tsumo
The Shona are exceedingly rich in proverbs. Proverbs are a cherished and interesting part of their oral literature.
Word Definitions rava: count matoo: old hides Translation To count goats that are elsewhere is to count those that are … Read more
Translation Advice is for children, an adult is king. Application It is difficult to discipline an adult who has had … Read more
Translation Why try discipline a grey-haired person; were there no people where he came from? Application It is difficult to … Read more
Word Definitions mutsubvu: tree which produces an edible fruit known as tsubvu (chocolate berry). – see picture gava: jackal Translation … Read more
Translation The ears hear what is far from sight. Application Word spreads easily, and people get to know about things … Read more
Translation Raise a dog on milk, and tomorrow it may bite you. Application Someone you help or nurture today, especially … Read more
Translation Why say something, even looking alone says something. Application A lot can be said just by looking at someone. … Read more
Definitions gombo: New agricultural land. Virgin soil. Translation One succeeds in farming four pieces of virgin land when they haven’t … Read more
Translation Even though bugs may bite, you should remain in the house; small troubles lead to bigger ones. Application People … Read more
Word definitions ndoro: shell-like white ornament (or real shell) worn generally on chest (of great antiquity, now associated with chieftainships … Read more
Definitions sesedza: help someone to walk tamanda: crawl on all fours hamba: move Translation Helping someone to walk is in … Read more
Definitions mano: artfulness. ingenuity Translation A plate lacks ingenuity; it doesn’t eat the food served to it. Application A person … Read more
Definitions jedye: bullfrog takunya: flick away Translation Flicking away a bullfrog is helping it cross over. Application Some things seem … Read more
Word definitions sanhu: axe ruzhowa: line of branches laid around an area as fencing Translation Chopping off branches for making … Read more
Word Definitions mukwambo: husband of one’s daughter mbuya: mother of man’s wife gapu: an earthenware pot used for cooking relish … Read more
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About
ZimbOriginal was born from a passion for discovery and writing, and a commitment to never losing sight of who we are.
It is a place for stories on culture, customs, traditions, and anything else indigenous to Zimbabwe. ZimbOriginal not only promotes cultural awareness, but also supports learning and discovery.
