Tsumo
The Shona are exceedingly rich in proverbs. Proverbs are a cherished and interesting part of their oral literature.
Definitions dembo: striped polecat chiveza: anal gland of polecat, or offensive smell from the same. Translation If you’ve skinned a … Read more
Word definitions muredzi: One who entrusts another with a child’s care Translation A mother, unlike the father, is the true … Read more
Translation Give a big hoe to a farmer; a lazy man will fall asleep with it. Inspiration Traditionally, the Shona … Read more
Translation A hoe tells no lies. Inspiration Traditionally, the Shona relied primarily on agriculture. The hoe was thus an important … Read more
Translation Even though a fool, silence will get you honoured as wise. Application Sometimes it is wiser to say nothing.
Word definitions mapapata: remains – scattered bones, generally of an animal. Translation The hyena might be so cowardly, but how … Read more
Translation A baboon might be ugly, but it does not feed on the carcass of an animal that it found … Read more
Word Definitions bvupa: bone hari: earthenware pot Translation Forcing a bone into a pot will break the pot. Inspiration Earthenware … Read more
Word definitions svava: Wilt. Wither. Droop. Translation What has travelled has wilted. Application When one is outside the boundaries of … Read more
Word Definitions tsambarafuta: large fatty edible flying ant igo: wasp Translation What used to drip (fat) eventually dried out; the … Read more
Translation What came first made one wiser. Application Bad experiences, blunders, and mistakes from the past, drive people to be … Read more
Translation What made one wiser is that which gave them the wound. Application Bad experiences, blunders, and mistakes from the … Read more
Translation It is roofs, that cover houses. Inspiration A house is covered by the roof, otherwise everything inside would be … Read more
Word definitions bere: hyena kodza: make fat mapfupa: bones Translation It is bones, that fattened a hyena. Inspiration Hyenas are … Read more
Word definitions kodza: make fat mashamba: fodder melon Translation The pig was fattened by fodder melons. Inspiration The fruit of … 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.
