HISTORY RECAP RECOLLECTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MAGAZINES 11, 12

Our totem (mutupo) is SHUMBA NYAKURUNGWA. Our forefathers called themselves “VAKARA” singular “MUKARA” . This was derived from the Lion totem. In Shona, a pre dator which hunts other animals and kill them is called “Chikara” . So traditionally the totem so mehow psychologically motivated our forefathers to be great hunters. They became su ccessful in their hunting expeditions and hence the use of salt kurunga). After a successful hu nting expeditions women would ululate thanking the man using the poem (DETEMBO) you wi ll see on page 9 below. The man had a drum beat to celebrate each time after a successful hu nting stint. In our Shona language such drumbeats are called “ NGOMA YE CHIDZIMBA” literally translated as Hunters drumbeat, derived from “KUDZIMBA” successful hunting.

Zvaitwa Shumba Nyakurungwa Vekwa matikaha nekuona dzimba Kuzoona mhumhu Vaduku vanotya Vakabve Mandasi Vari Muchitwi Chikomo chinopfungaira mhute Rakacheka Nyika Vemabwe machena (salt) Vakarunga nyama newe mare Ikatapira sewe gonera Vane vhudzi risingagerwi Rinobvurwa nemoto Hekani chiurayi chemasango Vanoriga zvuru Maita Shumba Vanowomba pwere dzirere Kana dzkasvinura Dzinoti mudzimi ndiringe Maita Chiurayi chemasango This is summary of the Clan’s history of some important events in the Clan history. I am writing a full document on the History of The Clan, but I just felt I should share this part in this quarterly family magazine. The objective is to connect a few dots as I give you a preview in preparation for the full document as narrated by our elders. Our family history is all based on oral history passed down from our elders which can be interpreted in many ways. However, to a greater extent it remains the only information that we have at present. History will always be part of us because we came from somewhere. Even the Biblical Israelites will tell you the importance of History. Who are we not to trace our History when our life is full of quotes from Biblical Historians? We can trace our Clan history from Chief Nyachuru in Mazoe area called Mandasi. There is Amandasi School somewhere in Mazoe. The genealogy can be started from the top. To date we have traced ourselves back in history to our great great grandfather called Ngunidza. According to history Ngunidza became the father to Musvovi, who is the father to the following children. Zenda, Marembereke, Mutambanengwe and Gukutamukara MAREMBEREKE is the origin of the Chikweya family the Nyakurungwas in Chikanga village just after Murenha shops as we go ku St Michaels.

MUTAMBANENGWE is the origin of the Muzhanje family. In Mhondoro they are found just after Chikara Clinic GUKUTAMUKARA is the origin of the Matore family found around Mubaira area all these are Nyakurungwas in Mhondoro ZENDA is the origin of all of you including yours truly. Zenda Lineage Zenda got married to a lady called Kaduku from Chikwaka it is from this union that Zenda became father to the following: • Chinemhute • Chikonyora • Tsvara • Namiso • Vangaiso

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Not all hunting is “kudzimba” , this only applies when you hunt and bring game, if you hunt and bring mice it is not “kudzimba” . In that context our forefathers had a special drumbeat only found in our clan. The drumbeat is called “ madhanndanda” . The villagers had a song “madhandanda ekwa Chikonyora” . Legend has it that one elderly man from nearby Murenha village got lost from a faraway Karanda village. He used the drumbeat to locate his village because he knew this drumbeat is by Chikonyora and this made his coordinates easy. The legendary father Takaruza Chikonyora takes the trophy as he was known to be the best drummer of his time.