Shona Clans & Totems Every clan or even tribe in Africa has a symbol they choose or anoint to become their form of identity; and even a source of integrity. African societies primarily identify through totems though there are significant …
NDEBELE PREGNANCY PRACTICES The Ndebele (of Zimbabwe), just like all other tribes discussed, do attach a lot of respect and value to the concept of pregnancy. It is so because they also attach very high standards to the institution of …
Pregnancy Traditions Pregnancy in African cultures is a noble thing because it is an expectation for a new life. It represents many things beyond the birth of a child; it represents fertility, an ideal hugely valued and celebrated in African …
Ndebele Manners & Protocols Like all the other Nguni/Bantu tribes of Southern Africa, the Ndebeles’ concept and interpretation of ‘manners and protocols’ revolve around the ideals of UBUNTU. Ubuntu can be described as “humanness” in a broad sense. It is …
Manners & Protocols – Tsika / Hunhu Key things to remember Avoid being overly / unduly assertive. Avoid being hasty. Use the correct greeting. Show respect even though you may not feel like it. General ‘Hunhu’ Rules Speak pleasantly. Help …
Key roles and Impango process explained Abakucaume -The groom’s team Bashi Bukombe Who is Bashi Bukombe? Bashi bukombe is the go-between and a spokesperson for the groom’s family What is bashibukombe’s role? He is responsible for solving any problems …
Ndebele Meals and Hospitality Traditionally the Ndebele people have consistently demonstrated specialisation and division of labour within their social setup. So in the preparation of meals, the men were responsible for gathering firewood, cutting it to size and slaughtering the …
Dining & Hosting Meals Meals are comprised of a starch/staple and relish. The staple food for most Shona people is sadza. The relish can be any one or more of either beef, mutton, goat, fish, chicken or game meat, derere (okra …
Ndebele Music, Art & Culture The relationship between art, music, and culture cannot go unnoticed in any culture. This symbiotic relationship usually carries a mirror that reflects the culture and history/heritage of a given tribe. For example, we can learn …
Neighbourly Practices: Bemba Culture Community living and cordial neighbourly practices are the lifelines of the African Culture. All the Zambian tribes embrace community living, and the Bemba tribe is no different. There is an excellent spirit of interdependence among the …