Tsumo

The Shona are exceedingly rich in proverbs. Proverbs are a cherished and interesting part of their oral literature.

Kurayira kunoda pwere, mukuru ndimambo.

Translation Advice is for children, an adult is king. Application It is difficult to discipline an adult who has had … Read more

Kurayira ndokurayira wachena, kwaakabva hakuna vanhu?

Translation Why try discipline a grey-haired person; were there no people where he came from? Application It is difficult to … Read more

Kure kwegava ndokusina mutsubvu.

Word Definitions mutsubvu: tree which produces an edible fruit known as tsubvu (chocolate berry). – see picture gava: jackal Translation … Read more

Kure kwemeso, nzeve dzinonzwa.

Translation The ears hear what is far from sight. Application Word spreads easily, and people get to know about things … Read more

Kurera imbwa nomukaka, mangwana inofuma yokuruma.

Translation Raise a dog on milk, and tomorrow it may bite you. Application Someone you help or nurture today, especially … Read more

Kureva ndokunei, kutarisa kurevawo.

Translation Why say something, even looking alone says something. Application A lot can be said just by looking at someone. … Read more

Kurima makombo mana kushaya manetswa.

Definitions gombo: New agricultural land. Virgin soil. Translation One succeeds in farming four pieces of virgin land when they haven’t … Read more

Kurumwa netsikidzi rambira mumba; chitete chinopinza mune chikobvu.

Translation Even though bugs may bite, you should remain in the house; small troubles lead to bigger ones. Application People … Read more

Kusandudza ugaro kwakapa muranda ndoro.

Word definitions ndoro: shell-like white ornament (or real shell) worn generally on chest (of great antiquity, now associated with chieftainships … Read more

Kusesedza kuhamba; kutamanda hakupedzi nyika.

Definitions sesedza: help someone to walk tamanda: crawl on all fours hamba: move Translation Helping someone to walk is in … Read more

Kushaya mano kwendiro, kupakurirwa isingadyi.

Definitions mano: artfulness. ingenuity Translation A plate lacks ingenuity; it doesn’t eat the food served to it. Application A person … Read more

Kutakunya jedye, kuti riyambuke.

Definitions jedye: bullfrog takunya: flick away Translation Flicking away a bullfrog is helping it cross over. Application Some things seem … Read more

Kutamba nesanhu, kutemera nyoka ruzhowa.

Word definitions sanhu: axe ruzhowa: line of branches laid around an area as fencing Translation Chopping off branches for making … Read more

Kutumikai kwomukwambo, kutaurira mbuya kuti gapu renyama ratsva?

Word Definitions mukwambo: husband of one’s daughter mbuya: mother of man’s wife gapu: an earthenware pot used for cooking relish … Read more

Kuturika denga kubatirana.

Translation To put up a roof, one requires the help of others. Application Some tasks require teamwork, and one will … Read more

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    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.

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