The Shona tribe is one of the tribes that can be found in Zimbabwe. With an estimated number of more than 9 million indigenous people, they are undoubtedly the largest tribe in Zimbabwe. From their rich history to language crafts to cultural practices, this tribe is fascinated. Want to learn more about them, read on and be amazed at what you are prone to discover.
story
The Shona tribe as a whole is the largest ethnic group in the South African country of Zimbabwe. They make up 80% of the Zimbabwean population with a total of over 9 million indigenous people. They can also be found in Botswana and southern Mozambique in southern Africa.
From thorough archaeological expeditions and records, the ruins now known as “Great Zimbabwe” date from around AD 600 according to radiocarbon dating. The ancestors of today’s Shona tribe are believed to have established Great Zimbabwe as well as hundreds of other stone-walled areas of Zimbabwe.
After settling in their present region in the first millennium AD, the Shona tribe has evolved to the point where it is divided into two main classifications, which include the “Bantus” (the region’s original inhabitants) and the “Conquerors of the region” belong These classifications are further subdivided into numerous clans of minorities.
They are also popular for their stone sculpture and mbira music. Mbira’s music is made from the so-called “finger piano”, a hollow gourd with metal reeds that are plucked by the player.
The Shona tribe is predominantly made up of farmers’ main crops include corn, millet, sorghum, rice, beans, peanuts and sweet potatoes. Maize is a more common crop grown by Shona farmers as it is used as a staple in Zimbabwe’s ‘Sadza’.
language
Language, which is the basic means of communication, is an integral part of the human race. In Africa, thousands of languages are spoken on the continent, compounded by the numerous ethnic groups in Africa. The Shona tribe and their respective clans can be identified by their dialect and usually have distinct languages that define exactly which traditions they follow.
The main Shona dialects are five main language clusters including; Korekore, Zeseru, Manyika, Ndau and Karanga. It is also worth noting that the peoples speaking several mutually intelligible languages were united under the name Shona only at the end of the 19th century.
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culture and religious practices
The Shona people emphasize family life over selfish interest and this can be seen in the way farm work is done through ‘nhimbe’. Although Shona is a paternal society synonymous with extended families, she adores mothers in society and sees them as “sacred”.
Shonas of the same regional groupings/clans usually adorn totems that are identical. Totems are usually animals and body parts and carry great meaning. In fact, Shona chiefs must be able to recite their totem’s story from the beginning before they can be sworn in as chiefs. In marriage, clans with the same totems are not allowed to intermarry.
They are largely known as highly skilled arts, especially sculpture. In the early days, the Shona trained their young men in the arts from childhood, as it was a skill passed down from generation to generation. Although this practice is currently on the decline, it can still be seen among the modern Shona descendants.
Religious There are two types of spirits that peoplebelieve in the “Vadzimu and Rasur”. The Vadzimu spirits are generally considered to be the ancestral spirits of the land. People’s ideals and moral way of life are supported by the Vadzimu spirits. The Vadzimu spirits are also associated with distant culture heroes or more recent ancestors whose exact lineage has been forgotten. They also stand up as protectors of society, but when the customs and ideals have been neglected by the people, the Vadzimu can withdraw their protection.
The shave spirits, on the other hand, are generally regarded as wandering spirits. They are mostly associated with indigenous peoples living outside the country’s territories. It is believed that these spirits are also associated with animals, neighbors or even some Europeans who share the same heritage.
In general, the Vadzimu spirits could be benevolent or malevolent. The benevolent spirits that are the good guys are associated with things like positive inspiration from people, talents, healing, artistic or musical ability. While the evil spirits are associated with sorcery, the occult, or witchcraft.
However, Christianity has overtaken the traditional Shona religion and this has been reinforced by colonialism which has effectively demonized the Shona way of life and discouraged the use of indigenous musical instruments such as the ‘mbira’.
DID YOU KNOW?
1. The Great Zimbabwean Stone City
The name “Zimbabwe” was indigenous to the RozwiShona dynasties of the 12th and 15th centuries. “The Great Zimbabwe” – the sculpted city of the Zimbabwean Kingdom derives its name from “dzimba dza mabwe” which translates to “great stone houses” and later evolved into the word “Zimbabwe”.
2. An agricultural tribe
The Shona are predominantly farmers whose main products include; Sweet potatoes, cassava, rice, beans, sorghum , peanuts, pumpkins and millet. They also raise cattle, sheep and chickens.
3. English Actress Who Is Shona Royalty
American actress Thandiwe ‘Thandie’ Newton, who starred in Chimamanda Adichie’s film adaptation of Half Of A Yellow Sun, is of Shonan royalty and was born to a mother who was a Shona princess.
4. Traditional medicine preferred over orthodox medicine
The Shona believe more in traditional healing methods over the Western form of medication. These drugs are known to cure both common illnesses and illnesses thought to be incurable. They also believe that the healing process works better with the help of the spirits.
5. Traditional Shona culture is known for excellent stone carvings
One of the great joys and prestige of the Shona is the wealth of their arts and crafts. They are particularly famous for their carvings and stone sculptures. This is an ability that was common among the Shona.
6. N’gozi “The Avenging Spirit”
The Shona tribe believe in the existence of an anti-spirit called “N’gozi”. This is a spirit that manifests when a person dies horribly. Such a spirit thus plagues the paternal lineage of the family responsible for the deaths of the aborigines. In order to appease the spirit, every family member except none is obliged to arrange compensation, otherwise the torment will remain.