Mhofu totem in english According to Emile Durkheim, a renowned French sociologist, social psychologist, and philosopher, the word totem is originated from Ojibwe, an Algonquin tribe of Northern America, and it refers to an object of an animal or a plant (Bongo, 2008). Upon his arrival in Uzumba, the aged Sororoziome passed the reigning powers to his elder son who became the first chief of the rich land. At any given point, his expression of gratitude was punctuated by totemic praises to all who supported him and the grieving families. Maita Shava Museyamwa Maita Shava, Mhofu yomukono, Ziwerera Hekani Mutekedza Vakatekedzana paJanga Vakapiwa vakadzi munyika yavaNjanja Nyashanu Join us in today's episode of Madzinza as we delve into the fascinating world of Zimbabwean totems with Chief Seke, exploring the significance and cultural i Jun 10, 2019 - Shava is a totem name variant of Mhofu/Mpofu, which is the name of the Eland that is common in Southern Africa. In times of drought the chief and his followers call upon ancestoral spirits to In this video Zondi Ngowani recites a praise poem for people who identify with the Mhofu (Eland) totem. Zvaitwa VaShava vana vaChivero, Aiwa zvaonekwa Mwendamberi. ; Chibwa: Again a reference to Tavengegwei. Vaera Mhofu, VokwaMazurukuwanda,karimugungwa, Maita VaKarimudunhu uchizvinzwira. The meanings attached to Shava include the fairness of the skin, resembling the colors of the Eland, or becoming At the heart of the praise, and providing many of its metaphors, is the totem associated with the clan, in this case the Eland antelope, so the poem becomes, in part, the praises of the animal. Reply. Ladies and gentlemen, amanyanda. as you can have a Zhou, Ngwena, Mhofu, but you can’t For every totem, there is a name that goes with it, for example, for those whose totem is moyo, the women are called mamoyo. Customs distinctive to this ethnic group are known as . " Delve deeper into the ric Maita veTsambochena, Mhofu yomukono Kuyambuka rwizi mvura yakwira makomo Totenda voMuchimbare, veGuruuswa Vane nzangachena kunge mwedzi wejenachena Kuziva zvenyu VaShava Mukonde, vari Gombe Mbiru was identified by his totem Shava (the eland), also known as Nhuka. They are also meant to guard against incestuous behaviour and to praise someone in recited poetry called "detembo". All descendants of Mbiru share the totem, but some changed to various Chidawos over time (praise name in parentheses) to hide from their enemies. Shava is associated with the Vahera tribe, descendants of Mbiru, who lived at Gombe Hill in present-day Buhera, East of Zimbabwe. Mr Charamba recalled how Air Marshall Shiri would recall his Mhofu totem praises poetically. hunting. I am a Masithole. In the cumulative tradition of the Shona (a Zimbabwean ethnic group), Chihera is a fiercely independent, assertive, free In today's captivating episode of Madzinza, join us as we embark on a fascinating exploration of the Zimbabwean totem "MHOFU/SEKE. in Nguni culture totems are not animals, its either “Vaera Mhofu” look after the eland and appreciate its existence. Winnie says: February 16, 2025 at 7:03 pm. ; Detembo redzinza (plural is nhetembo dzemadzinza) is the praise poem of a clan. It has survived extinction A person with a different totem cannot initiate burial of the deceased. zvidao (plural, principal praise names). They are all referred to as Mhofu Yemukono, meaning Eland bull. Shava is associated with the Vahera tribe, descendants of Mbiru Discover the fascinating world of Shona totems (mitupo) with our latest video,, “MHOFU TOTEM PRAISE POEM" | Exploring the Shona Peoples' Cultural Heritage. Prof Mpepereki also highlights that Maita Shava Museyamwa Maita Shava, Mhofu yomukono, Ziwewera Hekani Mutekedza Vakatekedzana paJanga Vakapiwa vakadzi munyika yavaNjanja Hekani Mutekedza, vari VuHera Mukonde Zvaitwa Mhukahuru, vemiswe inochenga miviri Ziendanetyaka, mutunhu une mago Vanovangira vashura vhu, kutsivira mutumbi Chidavarume, vanovhimwa Mutupo, chidao and detembo redzinza. A reading of their respective totems will help us to better understand their Traditionally, a woman descending from the Mhofu (Eland) lineage/totem is known as Chihera. English translation: Girl: My totem is Moyo, Chirandu. For example, Soko - monkey, Mhofu - beast, Shumba - lion, Mbizi - zebra, etc. Affectionately known as Mhukahuru, meaning the big animal. Aiwa zvaonekwa Shava yangu yiyi, Tatenda mwana waHwata. Shona. They’re known as Vahera or chihera (females), Mwendamberi (going forward), Musiyamwa or Mhofuyemukono (the mighty bull eland). Mhofu yomukono Kuyambuka rwizi mvura yakwira makomo Totenda voMuchimbare, veGuruuswa Vane nzangachena kunge mwedzi wejenachena from Mambo Book of Zimbabwean Verse in English, Colin & O‑lan Style, (Mambo Press, 1986). common eland is the translation of "Mhofu" into English. I Learn about the meaning and significance of the Eland (Mhofu/Mpofu) totem. Therefore, the totem Shava is a totem name variant of Mhofu/Mpofu , which is the name of the Eland that is common in Southern Africa. 3. It has to be emphatically stated, from the onset, that totems are not peculiar only to African societies. Like it’s the one that is sacred to us, not the Mhofu, the wife. Chihera. Its life is generally guided by the African Unhu philosophy that focuses on loyalties and relationships among community people (see section 2. It has been argued that totem-related taboos helped with the conservati­on of various species of animals and birds. vaHera. Mushavatu even changed his totem from Shoko Mbire Mukanya Chirongo and became Mhofu (which is the eland) with the praise name of Shava, obviously a derivative from Mu-shava-tu. In this Artwork, we celebrate the Totem called " Mhofu Totem", from Zimababwe with the totem laudatory epithets which connects them to their ancestors, bloodline, spirituality and their environment Throughout southern and eastern Africa, there’s one animal that many tribes regard as sacred. And I can attest that Mhofu Yemukono Museyamwa - Maita Shava, Mhofu yomukono, Ziwewera Hekani Mute Mhofu Yemukono Museyamwa Maita Shava, Mhofu yomukono, Ziwewera Hekani Mutekedza Vakatekedzana paJanga Vakapiwa vakadzi munyika yavaNjanja Hekani Mutekedza, vari uHera Mukonde Zvaitwa Mhukahuru, vemiswe inochenga miviri. Matongo emhofu ndidzo nyika dzinoti: Botswana, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia “Vaera Mhofu” look after the eland and appreciate its existence. In this Artwork, we celebrate the Totem called "Chihera/Shava" the females to the male Mhofu Totem, from Zimababwe with the totem laudatory epithets which connects them to their ancestors, bloodline, spirituality and their environment your art into a beautiful canvas. Shava is more synonymous with a major totem (identity animal) of the VaHera tribe, who are descendants of Mbiru, who Women who are known as Chihera belong to the same eland totem but different zvidao (plural, principal praise names). Pane aneye englisn here andipowo is there an english version of this poetry , if there is can i have it . Mazviita Moyo, Maita Chirandu, Gonoren’ombe, Mushayachirashwa, Mukaka tinomwa, Mafuta tichizora, Nyama tinodya, Ganda tichikakise ngoma, Ndove Mpofu Totem. In contemporary Shona society there are at least 25 identifiable totems (mitupo) with at least 60 principal names (zvidawo). Elands have white markings like bangles on their legs. 2 Comments ndove tendai says: The gwai, hwayi totem is mostly a masvingo and mashonaland totem. There is one Mpofu and thats enyamazana which is reddish in colour and lives in a bush alone not emhlambini, eyalwa ithwala insimbi refering to horns-Msongi wensimbi eyibeke khanda, khona amagwala ezombalekela, only drinks water if it sees the water it deos not run Mhofu (Eland) 12% of Participants. Prof Mpepereki also highlights that those whose totem is Dziva are protectors of rivers and other sources of water such as lakes, springs and waterfalls. Chiheras are known to be assertive, violent, brazen and talkative. The Shava/Mhofu (Eland) totem was therefore adopted so as to enable intermarriage between members of the two totems to take place. ; The mutupo system is an important source of ancestral and family Mufakose is the totem of the [Zumba] Shona people of central Zimbabwe who settled in the Mazoe valley in the early nineteenth century. Gosa. Moyo Chirandu. pdf), Text File (. Among them are elands (mhofu totem) fish (save), lions( shumba), birds (hungwe), baboons (soko) and warthogs (humba). Shava is often associated with fair skin, resembling the colors of the Eland, or becoming self-sufficient, such as by hunting or fishing. Beta/Dhliwayo/Ishwa. The females are more commonly known as Chihera. The Vahera are Shona, a collective name for many tribe The Eland (Mhofu/Mpofu) totem is a very popular totem of scattered people. Imperative example. Mpofu EmaNyandeni aMpofu kaMatshobane wesiduna seNsingizi, owalandelwa yintombi yathi gizeka noma ungela nkomo. For the shava totem, the women are called vachihera, and the men are called museyamwa or mhofu; some call them mhukahuru—mhukahuru is a title for those of the nzou [elephant] totem. People of the Mhofu/Shava clan possess different . Common male titles: Dhewa, Gono, Chirandu, Nematombo, Sinyoro; Nyaudzosingwi| Many Shona words for 101 English verbs March 2, 2023; Madimikira| 28 idioms from the 1968 novel ‘Tambaoga Mwanangu Shava is an animal totem variant of the Mhofu/Mpofu, which is the name of the eland deer-like animal in Southern Africa. The meanings attached to Shava include the fairness of the skin, resembling the colors of the Eland, or Mhofu yomukono, Ziwewera Hekani Mutekedza Vakatekedzana paJanga Vakapiwa vakadzi munyika yavaNjanja Hekani Mutekedza, vari uHera Mukonde Zvaitwa Mhukahuru, In the totemic system a clan associates itself with an animal, for example, Shumba – Lion, Soko – Monkey, Mhofu – Beast, etc. In itself Shava can mean a number of things, they fairness of the skin resembling colours of the Eland, or making a living, i. People of the same totem are Women who are known as Chihera belong to the same eland totem but different . Nhari Nendoro Ko makadiiko vananyamasvisva nanachihoro. Totems represent a family or clan and our ancestry and are integral to African culture. Mitauro yeBantu. Shava Museyamwa. from the Dande area that's when there was a split from the main nhari totem or rather an ejection of one of the princes and was stripped of his succession rights ,,inoder to prevent inter marriages he asked to keep the nyandoro name but change the animal from twiza to elephant The elephant totem, nzou/zhou/ndlovu has a number of classes (zvidawo). Totenda voMuchimbare, veGuruuswa, Vanenzanga chena kunge mwedzi wejenachena, Maita Museyamwa, Nhuka yangu yiyi, This collection includes Zimbabwe totem poems in Shona, Ndebele, and English translations. The Moyos are unifiers and peace brokers in the triangle of our family, notorious and outst anding character traits come from women born to the Mhofu totem who . They segregated into three groups: one group retained the original eland totem. The Rejected One: Praising Tavengegwei aka Paramount Chief Chibi. Tshobana owagaga ngamadolo aze aphucuka. The Shava belt encompasses the following Mbiru was identified by his totem Shava (the eland), also known as Nhuka. No totem animal. The English word totem was introduced by the British merchant and translator who gave it an assumed meaning in the belief that it is the designated guardian spirit of an individual who appeared in the form of an animal Nehanda, a spirit medium of the Mhofu totem, is the most respected in Zimbabwe; she had leadership skills and qualities. totem dynasties in the south center of the coun - try. Those of the Nyati totem use praise names such as Mhukahuru or Shonga. Totemism is a cultural practice that has been upheld by locals since pre-colonial For example Mhofu totem, males are called Mhofu and females are called Chihera What about the Makombe females. Mutupo (plural is mitupo) refers to a clan name which is symbolised by an animal, the totem. Mumhuri yenhoro dzinowanikwa muAfrica, mhofu ndiyo mhuka huru. The Mhofus,Moyos, Sokos are one and the same people. Could it be said that those who no longer know their totems are eating the flesh of their former totemic Shava is a totem name variant of the Mhofu/Mpofu which is the name of the animal Eland in the Shona language of Zimbabwe. ; Some of the hunters would emulate the gait of the lion. The Dube people tabooed the flesh of zebras, the animals that are their totems. Museyamwa. Shava is an animal totem variant of the Mhofu/Mpofu, which is the name of the eland deer-like animal in Southern Africa. zvidao. A: [to the boy] What is your totem? Boy: My totem is Mhofu. Shava is not Mwendamberi. Buhera means "Hera people". akophuma “Vaera Mhofu” look after the eland and appreciate its existence. We are called Vahera because we are sacred. Footnotes. For example, while all have Mhofu/Shava as the root identity, their sub-branches are Museyamwa (which is believed to be the original totem), Mutenhesanwa, Vhuramavi The Vahera are of the Museyamwa totem under Chief Nyashanu. June 1, 2020. This chidawo is being abused. Maita Shava, Mhofu yomukono, Ziwewera Hekani Mutekedza Vakatekedzana paJanga Vakapiwa vakadzi munyika yavaNjanja Hekani Mutekedza, vari uHera Mukonde Zvaitwa Mhukahuru, vemiswe inochenga miviri Ziendanetyaka, mutunhu une mago Vanovangira vashura vhu, kutsivira mutumbi Chidavarume, vanovhimwa navanonyanga Vasakamonera vakadzi For example, the Mhofu totem (eland) signifies grace and endurance, qualities that are believed to be inherited by those of the Mhofu lineage. Vumisa kaNgconoMsongi wensimbi ayibeke ekhanda,khona amagwala azobaleka. When the elders say it, they say Mhofuyemukono. Their praise poetry uses terms such as Mhofuyemukono (the bull eland) and Mhukahuru (the large beast). In contemporary Shona society, there are at least 25 identifiable totems ( mitupo ) with at least 60 principal names ( zvidawo ). Kudze says: Origins Shava is a totem name variant of Mhofu/Mpofu, which is the name of the Eland that is common in Southern Africa. Interesting, I’m proud of my totem. Animals, or (animal) body organs believed to be sacred to family, clan, or lineage. Chihera is a Shona female praise name of the Mhofu, Shava totem. You’ll find it painted inside ancient caves, engraved on flat rocks and etched in African folklore. The original Nyandoro were Biri naGanyire, brother and sister, who gained prominence with the arrival in the Zambezi Valley of Nyatsimba Mutota from Great Zimbabwe. while for females it is . Those whose totem is Nzou or Ndlovu protect and defend the elephant from extinction, as a symbol of their culture. All are historical heavyweights in Zimbabwe. The meanings attached to Shava include the fairness of the skin, resembling the colors of the Eland, or becoming self-sufficient such as by hunting or fishing. A: Ha-ha what does that mean? Boy: Mhofuyemukono means the male eland. BaKalanga vanoti ma enda-mbeli (first fruits; corn that ripens before the rest of the harvest; poor quality of sorghum). Chidao/ Chidawo (plural is zvidao/ zvidawo) refers to a praise name of a clan. Elands move accompanied by a loud clicking or buzzing sound. A person of the same totem, even when coming from a different tribe, can initiate burial of the deceased. admin. But even more fascinating is how the Mhofu totem is the root and trunk of the Vanhu/Bantu tree. For example, while all have Mhofu/Shava as the root identity, their sub-branches are Museyamwa (which is believed to be the original totem), Mutenhesanwa, Vhuramavi, As for the Mhofu totem, whether male or female, they are all bulls. This collection aims to celebrate Mhofu (Eland in English) imhuka yemusango inowanikwa kuMabvazuva nekuChamhembe kweAfrica. txt) or read online for free. Zuruvi is not suppose to be included there because for what I heard with my father is that Zuruvi was a woman married to the seke but refused to be called by the seke totem so that’s when she was called Zuruvi and the rest of the women married are now called Zuruvi that’s what I know and the Hara is vari Harava Culturally, a Chihera woman is of the Mhofu (Eland) totem and ancestry, a sister to Museyamwa. 3). People of the Mhofu/Shava clan possess different zvidao. In contemporary Shona society there are at least 25 identifiable mitupo (totems) with at least 60 principal names ( zvidawo ). e. The title Chihera also seems to be imposed even on those women who defy patriarchal gullibility albeit not of that totem. Chamutsa Shava mhofu, Makumbe, Chitsunge Moyo Sinyoro Njanja, Nerutanga Save Dziva, Chimombe Moyo Dhehwa Rozvi, and the Ndebele Gwebu-Fishu. As a matter of fact, they are an essential component of human existence (Mashige, 2011: 15). Girl: The big one. Mhofu The Eland (Mhofu/Mpofu) totem is a very popular totem of scattered people. Totems should not be consciously consumed by a member of the clan. Shava Nyakudirwa Maita Masvinga, Hekani Muchamaya, Zvaitwa mwana waKache Tinoenda Mhukahuru, Maita vari Shangure, Kuziva zvenyu noun , class(3) dialects/origins: Karanga, Manyika, Zezuru English translation totem. Their women are known to produce infidels, cheating wives and prostitutes, they challenge husbands and dominate their homes entirely. Three brothers of Mhofu totem Shayachimwe Mukombami, Nyakudya Chiweshe and Gutsa left their ancestral lands under Nyashanu in Buhera after domestic issues. uHera hwavaHera. Mhara Mbuya Chikonamombe. Types of Clan Praise Poetry Fascinating. Short phrases and words are repeated throughout, with references to In his gallery are different sculptures of animals that represent various totems. After settling down in the Harare-Mazoe area. The Shava/Mhofu (Eland) totem was therefore adopted to enable intermarriage between members of the two totems to take place. mhara Their totem was Shoko Matarira Chirongo or Mukanya which simply means baboon/monkey essentially meaning their totem/mutupo is the baboon/monkey. Maita Shava Museyamwa Maita Shava, Mhofu yomukono, Ziwewera Hekani Mutekedza Vakatekedzana paJanga Vakapiwa vakadzi munyika yavaNjanja Hekani Mutekedza, vari VuHera Mukonde Zvaitwa Mhukahuru, vemiswe inochenga miviri Ziendanetyaka, mutunhu une mago Vanovangira vashura vhu, kutsivira mutumbi Chidavarume, vanovhimwa Shava is a totem name variant of Mhofu/Mpofu, which is the name of the Eland that is common in Southern Africa. He was fluent in English and Afrikaans and was one of the paramount A person with a different totem cannot initiate burial of the deceased. This collection of poems in the Shona language explores themes of life, nature, family and community. Shava is often associated with describing pruness, ware and tier becoming self-sufficient, such as by hunting or fishing. But collectively they are called . From the English version of the poem, the praises "White hair", "Bearer of children Behind the Mhofu totem, Mbuya Nehanda emerges, behind Gushungo/Karigamombe is Robert Mugabe, Ngwena is synonymous with Emmerson Mnangagwa and, lastly, the Mukanya totem relates to Thomas Mapfumo. For example, a Ndebele of the Mpofu totem can initiate burial of a Shona of the Mhofu totem and that is perfectly acceptable in Shona tradition. I felt strongly that this was the best vote of thanks I have ever heard from Charamba in years. Read more. ; Chibi’ sons: The sons of Chivunguvungu, grandfather to Tavengegwei, whose name was later shortened to Chibi. And its tickling to come to the realization and sacred nature of our spiritual heritage. What is mhofu in Shona? What is a totem in Shona? An important aspect in the spiritual life of the Shona is represented by the totem, a totem is an animal, a plant or a natural object that becomes the emblem of a clan or of a traditional family. In contemporary Shona society there are at least 25 identifiable totems (mitupo From the English version of the poem, the praises "White hair", "Bearer of children", "Those who have four legs, the tail being the Nyandoro or nhari unendoro originally anoera twiza or furiramudenga During migration. Shava is more synonymous with the VaHera Chihera is a Shona female praise name of the Mhofu, Shava totem. (en) rdfs:label: Shava Totem (en) owl:sameAs: freebase The Shava/Mhofu (Eland) totem was therefore adopted so as to enable intermarriage between members of the two totems to take place. Jasper says: March 16, 2024 at 9:20 pm. As revealed in Chapter Three, the Tendera community, like most African rural communities, is “a strong cultural, social, and political institution” (Shizha, 2009, p. Mazhombwe Simayimba says: September 18, 2022 at 6:19 pm. 6% of Participants. It is speculated the animal’s weight causes the two This is a study of Chihera, a female Mhofu totemite, with a special focus on Buhera district. It Those whose totem is Ngara use the praise name Wamambo while Soko use Murehwa, Jena and Makwiramiti. totem occupies most of the Buhera territory (under Chief Nyashanu). Sample translated sentence: “Pamwe chete,” inotsanangura kudaro magazini yeInternational Wildlife, “Serengeti-Mara inotsigira chimwe chezviverengero zvikurusa zvemhuka zvenyika: mvumba dzine mamirioni 1,7, nondo dzine 500 000, mbizi dzine 200 000, mhofu dzine 18 000, The totem is first the tribal ancestor of the clan, as well as its tutelary spirit and protector; it sends oracles and, though otherwise dangerous, the totem knows and spares its children. His name was Maita veTsambo chena, Mhofu yomukono, Kuyambuka rwizi mvura yakwira makomo. Emmen Chaparadza says: February 27, 2023 at 9:15 am. are called Chihera. So, the . . Related posts. Let me talk about what I know of the Nyandoro clan: 1. The meanings attached t When the vaMbire, inspired by the spirits of their ancestors, decided to migrate south to present day Zimbabwe, they all belonged to one family which identified with the ‘eland’, mhofu/nhuka, an animal that had deep religious significance in their lives. Shava is more synonymous with the VaHera The Shava/Mhofu (Eland) totem was therefore adopted so as to enable intermarriage between members of the two totems to take place. The basic idea of totemism is Shava is a totem name variant of the Mhofu/Mpofu, which is the eland. The area was home to the Hera, Njanja, Rozvi and Dziva communities. A: Oh! Mitupo Yose - Free download as PDF File (. May 31, 2020. Mararike knows he is Mhofu/ Shava/Mpofu. Mangungu. The Mhofu clan is known as VaHera, much of the data in their historical The Shava/Mhofu (Eland) totem was therefore adopted so as to enable intermarriage between members of the two totems to take place. In the African culture, Totems are part of identity, bloodline, kinship and are believed to have a spiritual significance. Mina ngu Mxotshwa kaMakhaya umabhenampondo, uVumisa. The praise totem for males is . The word shava can mean a number of things including; the fairness of their skin resembling colours of the eland. The Mhofu clan is known as VaHera, much of the data in their historical Translation of "Mhofu" into English . Gumbo Madyirapazhe. Sororoziome Nyajina was of the Shava/Mhofu yemukono totem. 143) but it is also part of the whole of Africa (Matsika, 2012). The Shava belt encompasses the following noun , class(3) dialects/origins: Karanga, Manyika, Zezuru English translation totem. English. the ndebele equivalent totem is Tshuma golide mageza ngochago, gumbi etc but there is no mention of an animal it is not clear whether the originators of the praises left it out so that they identify with nguni norms noone knows. Ziendanetyaka, mutunhu une mago Kudya mhofu kudya munyepfu, Kudya bvupa meno omokotoka. This animal is chosen because of certain admirable characteristics of appearance, Shava is a totem name variant of the Mhofu/Mpofu, which is the eland. Totems also govern social norms. Totemism is a cultural practice that has been upheld by indigenous Shona people since time immemorial. What is mhara in English? To arrive; come to a stop. Discover the cultural importance of this totem among the Vahera and Mwendamberi people. So, every title depends on your totem. As always, the praise of the totem is intertwined with the clan’s history. The clan is assumed to have lived in the Zambezi Valley (Dande) Izithakazelo zakwaMpofu Zulu/ Ndebele: Amanyandeni ampofu kamashobane, wesidunu sensingiza, wokulandelwa yintombi ithi ngizeke noba awula nkomo, vumisa kangono, msongi wensimbi eyibeke khanda, khona amagwala ezombalekela, shobane owagaqa ngamadolo aze aphocuka, ophuz’ amanzi ngokuwabona, engakawaboni komi ! sango libhekezansi. The members of a totem are therefore under a sacred obligation not to kill (destroy) their totem, to abstain from eating its meat or from any other enjoyment The title Chihera also seems to be imposed even on those women who defy patriarchal gullibility albeit not of that totem. In contemporary Shona society there are at least 25 identifiable totems (mitupo From the “Vaera Mhofu” look after the eland and appreciate its existence. skzkdd xxrm gemks tjia zlajggf hlry lwaau gcglio sclrnq hwdz mqf pix hls lngzy hbfh