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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 29656, member: 2262"] Zimbabwe includes many racial groups with different cultural traditions. Mitupo or totems matter deeply in Zimbabwean society. Each totem represents a family group sharing ancestors, usually shown by a specific animal or object. Let me explain what several Zimbabwean totems mean. The LION, called shumba, sibanda, or abanda, stands among the most famous totems. People with this symbol show strength and competition, matching the lion's powerful status as animal king. Lions break into different types like the Lion of Jichidza, named after a loud night bird near ancient ruins. President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa belongs to the Lion of Chirumhanzu from the border between two provinces. More types exist like Lion of the Crocodile and Lion of the Zebra. These divisions started when ancestors tried to prevent family marriages yet stay connected. All trace back to King Nehoreka who traveled from Tanzania long ago. Lion people typically love meat, act aggressively, hunt expertly, and fight without fear – women included! The men want many romantic partners and have strong drives for both fighting and love. Rozvi people say they lived in Zimbabwe before anyone else. History connects them to the Changamire family line, and they think of themselves as the true land owners. Their totem, Moyo or Mhumba, means HEART. They consider their totem absolutely necessary since every living creature needs a heart. Different heart types include Chirandu and Zuruvi. Their nicknames include Gonoremombe meaning mighty bulls and Murozvi mukuru meaning master plunderer. They began in Masvingo province and later moved across the country looking for better places. Most people think Moyo people naturally show care and affection. Their women create strong families. Zuruvi men become amazing hunters and fighters. None ever eat heart meat from any animal. The Elephant totem people, Nzou/Zhou, divide into several groups. Others call them Mhukahuru or Indlovu, meaning big animal. They live everywhere in Zimbabwe, some near the northern Zambezi valley. These groups include Tonga, Tavara, Karanga, Ndebele, and Remba tribes. The elephant represents big, strong, potentially destructive people. Karanga, Remba, and Tonga make excellent hunters, but Ndebele excel at fighting. Today, elephant totem people succeed in arts, sports, and school subjects. Famous examples include soccer player Peter Ndlovu and musician Oliver Mutukudzi. Though smaller in population, they show athletic ability and smarts. Their subgroups include Samanyanga with great tusks, plus Suwani and Mushavi. Zebra represents another big totem group, known as Duve, Dhuve, Dube or madhuve, meaning women. Zebra people feel extremely proud of their symbol. They call themselves gandarevasikana, claiming skin as smooth as young girls. They joke about passing bun-shaped waste instead of normal stool because zebra droppings look like buns. Their women usually have beauty, curves, and charm. Many men feel sad about missing chances to date zebra totem women. The Dziva or pool totem comes from the massive Save river, perhaps Zimbabwe's largest inland waterway. This river features deep pools, crocodiles, hippos, fish, and countless plant and animal species. These people live along the Save river in places like Hwedza, Buhera, Chivu, parts of Manicaland, Eastern Masvingo, Chipinge, Birchnough, Nikita, and Checheche. Traditionally they cannot eat fish, though changing customs lead many to break these rules. They once avoided all water animals, but newer ideas suggest only certain sea fish remain forbidden, maybe sharks or whales called jekausiye, meaning take enough for your family and leave the rest. Stories tell of ancestors finding a magical sea fish on the riverbank that regenerated daily after people cut pieces from it. The late former Prime Minister Dr. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai came from this totem and led Zimbabwe's biggest opposition party. The Fish Eagle, named Shiri/Nyoni, Hungwe, or the Zimbabwe bird, appears on the national emblem. Also called Shirichena or white bird, people from around Masvingo City claim this totem. Other names include Mauruka meaning flying high, or Chasura chatibwege, describing how it releases waste midair. These people value teamwork over individual action. They lack personal courage but believe groups provide strength. Their men frequently marry multiple wives hoping for many children as workers and protectors. They put forth great effort despite limited academic success. The pig or wild boar totem, Humba/Nguruve, belongs to people from Manyika and Eastern Masvingo provinces. They always avoid pork. Their character traits include shyness, determination when angered, hard work, intelligence, and giving nature. Though appearing quiet and serious, they actually display friendliness, care, and affection. Both men and women strongly desire romantic relationships. The cattle leg totem people, Gumbo, live in Gutu within Masvingo province as chiefs. Many believe they settled Gutu first, northeast of Masvingo City. They refuse meat from animal legs, especially cattle, because of their totem. Their nickname Chitovanedzevamwe, meaning taking from others, reveals their romantic tendencies. They constantly pursue others' partners, with women bragging about attracting committed men. Though not numerous, they live scattered across different areas. The Eland totem, Mhofu/Mpofu, includes many scattered people. Names include Vahera or chihera for females, Mwendamberi meaning forward-moving, and Mhofuyemukono for mighty bull eland. Their women often cheat on husbands, work as prostitutes, challenge male authority, and control households. Some practice witchcraft. The men work diligently, hunt skillfully, and fight together effectively. Despite limited intelligence, persistence brings them success. Sports stars like decorated soccer player Memory Mucherahowa come from this group. Women claim sexual skill, beauty, and irresistible appeal. Hard work helps everyone succeed regardless of gender. Cape Buffalo people, Nyati/Shonga, originate from Makoni/Rusape areas. Their men display wisdom, commitment, and cleverness. This totem represents slim, attractive, fair-skinned, charming males who chase women and use clever strategies. Many become funny storytellers with amazing speaking abilities. People call them Nyati imhenyu, meaning living Buffalo. Their women age gracefully as excellent grandmothers, mothers, and homemakers. Men fight bravely alone and never quit until death. The Porcupine/Hedgehog totem, Ngara, ranks among the most widespread. People know them as the King's In-law, Mukwasha waMambo. This name causes debates, but some say their ancestor Zimuto who lived near ancient ruins married a princess, earning this title. They claim their spikes once pierced a rock that bled. Many call them simply WaMambo, meaning related to the King. Their men work hard, think clearly, and stay peaceful. Women appear somewhat reserved but make loving wives. The Impala totem, Mhara, comes from Mhondoro Mubaira about hundred miles southwest of Harare. Their classification, Chikonamombe, means they tried looking like cattle. They live near Mupfure/Umfuli river in Mashonaland West. Their history connects deeply with colonial resistance, as Chief Mashayamombe fought against foreign powers. Many spiritual leaders came from this group. Impala people struggle with academics but work extremely hard. Men typically cheat on partners, but women excel at motherhood and keeping homes. The Sheep totem, Gwai, hwai, or imbelele, nicknamed chuma for women, includes very quiet people. Women show intelligence, beauty, and physical strength. Men grow tall and thin with moderate competitive drive. Like all totem groups, they refuse to eat their totem animal, sheep in this case. The mouse totem, mbeva, mbeya, or amagundwani, splits into two distinct groups. The main mouse, Musoni, differs greatly from the solitary mouse, hwesamasango. Main mouse people from Save valleys around Buhera display intelligence, talkativeness, and peaceful attitudes. Solitary mouse people prefer being alone, show aggression, and avoid groups. Both hunt effectively, fight well, and think smartly. They have light skin, athletic bodies, and beautiful women. Hwesa people live near the Eastern border with Manyika. A controversial totem with unclear meaning, Gushungo, reportedly refers to private parts according to popular belief. Very few claim this symbol. Gushungo people demonstrate remarkable brainpower and wisdom beyond comparison. Academically, nobody surpasses them thanks to extraordinary comprehension abilities. Their background remains largely unknown except for former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, who served as Zimbabwe's first Prime Minister, Secretary and Commander in Chief. This highly regarded leader ranks among Africa's wisest and most educated figures. This totem represents generosity, unity, and patriotic feelings. Gushungo people come from Mashonaland West around Chinhoyi, Chegutu, Norton, and Zvimba areas. The Wild Cat totem, bonga/gola, remains rare with few members, mainly from southern Matabeleland and southwestern Midlands. These people usually prefer nighttime activities, with males showing decent intelligence levels. The Monkey/Baboon totem, Solo, Tsoko, Shoko, or Ncube, stands as the most common. These people spread widely across Hwedza, Matabeleland, Mashonaland, and beyond. Many consider them the smartest, cleverest, and wisest group. Their brain power makes them cunning and quick-thinking. Nicknames include Bvudzijena meaning white-headed, makwiramiti for climbing trees, and mukanya describing a baboon's mountain running style. Women brag about beauty and smarts. They call their totem the kiss-totem because saying maNcube makes a kissing sound. Men love romance, hunt expertly, fight bravely, and protect families fiercely. Professor Welshman Ncube represents a famous member. The cattle totem, Inkomo or Nkomo, prevails among Matabeleland people. It started south of Limpopo river during Nguni migrations. Nkomo people display maturity, intelligence, and national pride despite occasional cowardice. They produce smart thinkers but few recognized fighters. The Fire totem, Moto/chiveso, belongs mainly to Shangani people from southern areas like Chiredzi, Triangle, and Beitbridge. These regions sit in southern Masvingo near South African borders. They call themselves Tshovani people and typically have muscular bodies. They make strong fighters with powerful physiques, show reasonable intelligence, and work diligently. Many become great hunters. Their women lack striking beauty but make dedicated mothers despite unfaithfulness tendencies. The Ant/cockroach totem, Ishwa, Majuru, or Beta, commonly called Muyambo/Mlambo, appears frequently in southern Manyika. Ant people show remarkable group loyalty. They have short, stocky bodies with fair skin. They work tirelessly and care for families but include many cheaters and violent members. They struggle academically yet support each other completely. Men display strength and fearlessness despite poor solo fighting skills, preferring group attacks. They live primarily among Ndau and Karanga speakers. The African Rock Python totem, Mheta or shato, appears commonly in southern Zimbabwe. Many belong to the Saunyama family group. [/QUOTE]

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