Stories

These stories are based on the accounts of ordinary Zimbabweans - the experts from whom the content on ZimbOriginal is sourced.

Amazing lessons from Shona indigenous religion as a way of life

By ZimbOriginal | August 21, 2025 | 5 Comments

Religion as a way of life: Reflections on Shona customs While having a conversation with my sister the other day, one thing became quite apparent … Read more

Lessons from teaching Shona that will make Shona learning easier

By ZimbOriginal | August 14, 2025 | 0 Comments

When I started helping children learn Shona around 2019, I have to be honest—I was anxious, but I thought it couldn’t be that difficult. After … Read more

More easy lessons on madimikira — from Imbwa Nyoro (Part 2)

By ZimbOriginal | July 31, 2025 | 0 Comments

In a previous post, I explored the madimikira (idioms) found in the Shona novel Imbwa Nyoro by Renny M. Mumvuma. The use of idioms in … Read more

Understanding madimikira the easy way — from Imbwa Nyoro (Part 1)

By ZimbOriginal | June 22, 2025 | 0 Comments

In a previous post, I shared the similes (fananidzo) and metaphors (enzaniso) that I encountered while reading the Shona novel Imbwa Nyoro, a 1982 novel … Read more

Easy ways to use ‘fananidzo’ and ‘enzaniso’ – from Imbwa Nyoro

By ZimbOriginal | June 13, 2025 | 0 Comments

There’s something I love about reading Shona novels from decades past — stories written before I was even born. These works offer a richer experience … Read more

Why Shona learning matters, and how to make it easy

By ZimbOriginal | January 9, 2025 | 0 Comments

Ever since I took on my first learner back in 2019, Shona learning has become a subject dear to me. I believe proficiency in more … Read more

What you need to know about ancestors to understand Shona religion — it might surprise you

By ZimbOriginal | April 7, 2024 | 8 Comments

The Shona people believe in a Supreme Being, whom they call by different names. These names include Musikavanhu, Musiki, Mwari, Nyadenga, Samasimba, Samatenga, Wedenga, Musikarudzi, … Read more

5 uncommon death and funerary customs of the Shona

By ZimbOriginal | March 20, 2024 | 0 Comments

The Shona have a number of beliefs and practices that relate to remembering and respecting the dead. These may differ in one way or another … Read more

101 English verbs — and their rich nyaudzosingwi

By ZimbOriginal | March 2, 2023 | 7 Comments

This post was last updated on 12 January 2025. Adverbs and Nyaudzosingwi Adverbs are words that modify or describe verbs, adjectives, clauses, sentences, or even … Read more

These 28 madimikira make Tambaoga Mwanangu a great read

By ZimbOriginal | February 9, 2023 | 8 Comments

After reading China manenji hachifambisi I wrote on idioms (madimikira) that the writer, Mordikai A. Hamutyinei, used in the story. I decided to do the … 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.

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