Tendai Gukutikwa
Cultural Perspectives with Rogers Irimayi
ZIMBABWE, just like other African countries, is home to several ethnic groups which have their own unique cultures, languages and traditions.
I will present some of the major tribes, and attempt to explain their difference and how each of them contribute to the nation’s pride.
Although they all have different origins, I will not go into that, but will focus on their roles in the country’s development in the social, economic, and political spheres.
The major tribal groups found in Zimbabwe are the Shonas, Ndebeles, Kalangas, Xitshanganis, Nambyas, Tongas, Vendas and Chewas. People from each tribe are easily identified by their language.
The largest ethnic group in Zimbabwe is the Shona people who make up approximately 70 percent of the population.
Shona has a unique language which is spoken in many parts of the country, but in different dialects. The major Shona dialects include Karanga, Ndau, Manyika, Zezuru, and Korekore. The Karanga people are found in Midlands and Masvingo provinces, while in Manicaland, there are the Ndau people in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, and the Manyika people in Mutasa and Nyanga areas.
The Zezuru and Korekore people are found in Mashonaland.
There are other tribes within the major Shona tribes such as Maungwe people in Makoni District, Mabocha and Jindwi people in Mutare District, which are all categorised under Manyika. Each dialect has its own unique accent and pronunciation of the Shona words. While the rest of the Shona people can easily understand each other when they speak, the Ndau and Korekore languages stand out different as they have their own unique linguistic characteristics, including distinct vocabulary and grammatical structures.
Shona is one of the country’s official languages which is taught and examined in academic institutions such as schools, colleges and universities.
It should be noted that Shona culture is rich and diverse, with a strong emphasis on tradition, family, and community.
The Ndebele is regarded as the second-largest ethnic group in Zimbabwe which makes up approximately 15 percent of the country’s population. The Ndebele people are found in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces. Their language, Ndebele, cuts across the tribe, and it is also one of the official languages in Zimbabwe. It is also taught and examined in schools, colleges and universities.
Ndebele culture is known for its vibrant art, music, and dance, as well as its strong tradition of craftsmanship. The Tshangani people which are also known as Shangaan people are found in Chiredzi within Masvingo Province, and they have their presence in other areas such as Mwenezi and parts of Chipinge.
The language spoken by this tribe is Xitshangani or Tsonga or Shangaan, and it also has various dialects.
The tribe is well known for its cultural preservations such as the annual initiation ceremonies. These ceremonies are held when young men and women are marking important transitions in life and these include the process of circumcision. The Kalanga tribe is a group of people found in the Western region of Zimbabwe and they spread across the geographical boundary with Botswana.
Rodgers Irimayi is the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Masvingo Provincial Information Officer. He writes in his personal capacity and can be contacted on +263778246098 or [email protected]
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