Its really sad that we (Zimbabweans), have reduced the importance of our indigenous proverbs to something we need to cram in order to pass our Ordinary and Advanced level exams. As a result most people don’t pass these exams and end up relying on the domestic aide from kumusha to help their children to do their Shona (i don’t know about Ndebele) homework. Like all other proverbs, our indigenous proverbs are rich sources of wisdom that are very much applicable in our day to day living. Not only are these proverbs relevant to our day to day living,they are easy to understand (no need to crack your head), which is not much of a shocker because they were created for us. Its a pity that my Ndebele speaking is really bad,but I gathered a number of Shona proverbs to jog memories. I also put a link at the end of the article,for those who want to acquaint themselves with the meanings of these and other Shona proverbs and for those who might want to help their kids with their Shona homework every once in a while :D.
- Nzombe huru yakabva mukurerwa.
- Ndamba kuudzwa akaonekwa nembonje pahuma.
- Gudo kuipa kuipa haro asi haridye chakafa choga.
- Rina manyanga hariputirwe.
- Imbwa nyoro ndidzo tsengi dzamatowo.
- Zvikoni zvikoni mimba haibve negosoro.
- Aiva madziva ava mazambuko.
- Chaitemura chave kuseva.
- Kuvhunduka chati kwatara hunge uine katurikwa.
- Seka urema wafa.
- Zizi kuswera muhuku hunzi ndava hukuwo.
- Itsitsi dzei tsvimborume kubvisa chana chemvana madzihwa?
- Charova sei chando kukwidza hamba mumuti?
- Natsa kwawabva kwaunoenda husiku.
- Murombo haarove chinenguwo.
- Mbeva zhinji hadzinj marise.
- Rume rimwe harikombi churu.
- Chara chimwe hachitswanyi inda.
- Rugare tange nhamo.
- Mwana asingacheme anofira mumubereko.
For meanings to these and other proverbs check out I believe that our languages are important in defining who we are as Zimbabweans..lets embrace them…lets preserve them..lets be Zimbabwean. NMN
This has been a submission by Nyasha Mukai Nyakunu.
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