Tsumo

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

Zuva rine meso, deko rine nzeve.

Word Definitions zuva: day deko: night Translation The day has eyes, and the night has ears. Application Nothing remains hidden … Read more

Zvaita sei kuti chembere yorasika, bere rorutsa imvi?

Word definitions bere: hyena imvi: grey hairs Translation How is it so that an old woman goes missing and a … Read more

Zvawana njiva, mangwana zvawana hanga.

Definitions njiva: dove hanga: guinea-fowl Translation What has befallen the dove will befall the guinea-fowl tomorrow. Application One who is … Read more

Zvikoni zvikoni, mimba haibvi negosoro.

Word definitions mimba: pregnancy gosoro: cough Translation What is impossible is impossible, a pregnancy cannot be coughed off. Application Sometimes … Read more

Zvinonyadza mutauri kuti mbudzi yaba nyama iyo imbwa iripo.

Translation One who says a goat has stolen meat, yet there is dog around, should be embarrassed. Inspiration Goats, as … Read more

Zviri kumvana kubara mwana asina baba.

Word definitions mvana: unmarried woman who has borne a child/ woman past marriageable age. Translation It is up to an … Read more

Zviri kumwene wejira, kufuka kana kuwarira.

Translation It is up to the owner of a blanket, to use it as a cover or as an underblanket. … Read more

Zviururwi zvinofara kana kondo afa ziso.

Definition zviururwi: crickets kondo: hammerkop (a medium-sized wading bird) Translation Crickets rejoice when the hammerkop loses his eye. Inspiration The … Read more

Zvoti amai votsva kumusana, mwana otsva kudumbu (muberekero hapachisina).

Translation If a mother’s back and the child’s stomach are both burned, then it becomes almost impossible for the mother … 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.

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