The Shona tribe is one of the tribes that can be found in Zimbabwe. With an estimated number of indigenes well over 9 million people, they are certainly the largest tribe in all of Zimbabwe.
For its rich history to language crafts and cultural practises, the tribe is embellished with fascination.
The Shona people emphasizes living with family over selfish interest and this can be seen in their farm work through ‘nhimbe.’ Though Shona is a paternal society which is synonymous with extended families, it revers mothers in the society and sees them as ‘Holy.’
Shona’s of the same religious groupings/clan usually adorn totems that are identical. These totems are usually animals and body parts and they have great importance. In fact, the Shona chiefs must be able to recite the history of their totems all the way from its initial founder before they were sworn as chiefs. In marriage, the clans with the same totems are not allowed to marry among themselves.
One thing the Shona people derive great prestige and joy from is the richness of their arts and crafts. They are particularly framed for their carving and stone sculpting. This is a skill which was common with the Shona people.
The Shona tribe believe in the existence of an antagonising spirit called ‘N’goz.’ This is the spirit that manifests whenever a person dies in a gruesome manner. Such spirit thus torments the paternal lineage of the family responsible for the death of the indigene. In order to appease the spirit, every member of the offending family with the exception of none is required to agree on a compensation else the torment persists.
