Here is a Mutopo list of Shona totems and their meanings:
- Shava (Eland/Mhofu/Mpofu/Museyamwa/Mwendamberi): Represents gentleness and strength. Also associated with fairness of skin. The Hera people are linked to this totem. It is considered the original totem of the Shona people.
- Moyo (Heart/Dhewa/Moyondizvo/Chirandu/Sinyoro/Nematombo/Wadyegora/Muzukuru/Mateere/Wakapiwa/Sithole/Bvumavaranda/Sayi/Zariro/Yavajena/Gonoren'ombe/Mushayachirashwa/Sahi): This symbolizes life and wellness. The Moyo clan reveres the heart as the central point of life and death. They developed a tradition of using the heart mixed with herbs for strength. This was also the totem of the rulers (Mwenemutapas and Mambos) who needed a good heart to look after everyone.
- Soko (Monkey/Tsoko/Mukanya/Ncube): Linked to being clever and quick-witted. People with this totem are often seen as intelligent and full of energy. It is considered one of the original totem groups. The Soko totem is associated with rainmaking abilities.
- Shumba (Lion/Sibanda): Stands for bravery and strength. People with this totem are often seen as courageous. Historically, it was adopted by the brave and the all-conquering.
- Nzou (Elephant/Nhari/Zhou/Samanyanga/Matemai/Mhukahuru): A symbol of might and memory. People with this totem are often associated with these qualities.
- Gwai (Sheep/Mukuruwambwa/Kota/Chuma/Gumbi/Nyahwari/Zambu/Imbelele): The clan is normally composed of quiet people. Females are smart, beautiful, and heavily built. Males are tall and slender. It is also associated with beads (Chuma). In some areas, Gwai is said to be the tortoise (Kamba).
- Dziva (Hippo/Musaigwa/Muyambo/Dziriro/Mvuu/Hove/Water/Pool): Highlights the importance of water for life. Those with this totem might have a special connection to water sources. It is considered one of the original totem groups.
- Gumbo (Leg/Madyirapazhe/Mukuvapasi/Mhizha): It has a story about a group that valued a whole leg of an animal. This act became their unique identifier.
- Tembo (Zebra/Mbizi/Dube/Dhuve/Chiota/Mubaiwa/Mazvimbakupa): Those who call the Zebra their Mutupo are expected to look after these stripy animals. This shows that they value their pride and do the right thing.
- Mbeva (Mouse/Hwesa/Katerere/Zungunde/Mukundwa/Tovakare/Warerwa/Hanzu): It might seem small, but it represents a discovery that led to something better. Legend says ancestors found a snake, a better food source, while looking for mice. Women of the Hwesa totem are known for their intelligence and leadership qualities.
- Tsivo/Mbwetete (Fists/Chibhakera/Gushungo/Karigamombe/Mhumhi/Bonga Chihwa): The original totem of the Zvimba people, meaning fists. It is associated with self-centeredness, courage, determination, fearlessness, skill, and dexterity.
- Nyati (Buffalo/Chirombowe/Shonga/Mhenyu/Imhenyu): The Buffalo is one of the big five animals in Zimbabwe. Nyati Imhenyu means a buffalo is ever alive.
- Mhara (Impala/Chikonan'ombe/Mapara/Mashayamombe/Mpala/Chikonaz): Those of the totem Mhara are protectors of the impala. Women are called Mapara and are known to be hard workers and great homemakers, while men are called Chikonamombe.
- Ngara (Leopard/Wamambo/Nhewa Simboti): This animal is reserved for royalty and is a symbol of regal power.
- Humba (Warthog/Makombe/Nyanguru/Chiunga/Chomera/Nguruve/Mutakurwa/Dukudza/Chirema/Chirimanemuromo/Mapadza/Barwe/Gwindingwi/Karota/Rima/Chevakaranga/Chibonoyo/Gosa/Zunzangara/Karomokapuwe/Matitima/Nyadekese/Zambezi/Matope/Vahonde): A wild pig which is very strong and determined always to win, inspiring hard work.
- Shiri (Bird/Marunga/Nyoni/Hungwe/Shiri Maokomavi/Shirichena): The Fish Eagle (Hungwe) is the Zimbabwe bird, a national emblem. It is also called Shirichena (white bird). Those with this totem protect birds and do not eat wild birds.
- Beta (Flying Termite/Ishwa/Dhliwayo/Hanzu): The totem of the Beta clan is a flying termite. The flying ants are ubiquitous during the rainy season and are believed to bring the much-awaited rains. People with this totem are believed to be gentle, humble, and peace-loving.
- Nkomo (Cow/Cattle/Mupamombe/Ngezi/Verimuka/Zhenjeguru/Vakatumbura mombe nechara chipanga chichisvina muto/Varidzi vemasango/Vavhimi/Inkomo): Popular among the Matabeleland inhabitants, originating from south of the Limpopo river. Symbol of wealth.
- Mheta (Snake/Python/Saunyama): Those with this totem protect the python.
- Kamba (Tortoise): In some regions, this is the totem instead of the sheep (Gwai). People with this totem do not kill or destroy tortoises and have a duty to care for them as they are sacred.
- Bepe (Lung): One of the totems derived from body parts.
