Shona Culture

    Shona Marriage Practices #AfricanCultureExplained To have an in-depth understanding of the Shona roora process, we highly recommend you:  Go through related FAQs  Watch all Shona roora dramatization/videos produced by BeingAfrican to accompany this teaching. What is Shona roora? …

Key roles and Roora process explained Vakwasha-The groom’s team Munyayi – Intermediary Who is munyayi? Munyayi is the go-between and a spokesperson for the groom’s family What is munyayi’s role? He is responsible for solving any problems or easing tension …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Neighborly Practices  Kubata maoko If a community member passes on, all the neighbors in the village take it as if their own family member has passed on.  They all attend the funeral to shake hands, “kubatamaoko,” of the deceased’s family …

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 …

Shona SculpturesThe Shona people of Zimbabwe have been hand sculpting stone into works of art for centuries. Shona sculptures and carvings are beautiful and elegant, contemporary, yet eternal. They come in elaborate shapes and all different sizes that compliment any …

Shona Death & Funerals No tribe in the world takes kindly and lightly to death issues, and subsequently, burial/funerals and the Shona are no exception in this regard. They celebrate the birth of a child and mourn the death of …