Shumba · lion
Shumba is the lion totem. Its poems praise the lion as the hunter that kills in the open, with no bush to hide it, and a Shona dictionary reads many of its praise names as pictures of the lion's roar, strength and hunting. It is kept by the Gurundoro, Mhazi, Murambwi, Nyamuzihwa and Sipambi clans.
The Shumba poems share the lion's ways. Gurundoro and Mhazi praise the killer that kills in the open with no bush for cover (mhondi inopondera pasina gwenzi). Murambwi and Sipambi use Matikaha, with lines about flinching at the sight of a person. Mhazi and Sipambi use Mukakatirakwasviba, which a Shona dictionary explains as the lion's hunting at dusk, and Mhazi and Nyamuzihwa use Chiurayi, the killer. Mhazi is the fullest on the animal itself: the great ones of the forest, the breaker of bones, the one whose eyes frighten, the one who roars once (Mudzvovakamwe).
The clans part over their ancestors and homes. Gurundoro is the child of Mbari, greets its clan at the pool of Sekwa and says its people keep away from the leopard as well as the lion. Mhazi names Chamakanda, Ruminu and Zverungu and links its clan with Mutasa. Murambwi calls its people the children of Chivi, among the Mhari. Nyamuzihwa says its clan came from Buja and calls it the child of Mukombwe and Nehoreka. Sipambi, the one who took from others as well, names Charumbira.
Shumba mutupo wevanhu vanoera shumba. Madetembo avo anoirumbidza semhondi inopondera pachena pasina gwenzi, inovhima madekwana. Mazita akaita saChiurayi naMudzvovakamwe anoratidza kuvhima nokutyiwa kweshumba. Dzinza reGurundoro rinoerawo mbada.
A Shona dictionary explains Chiurayi as a Shumba praise name for the way the lion is always hunting and killing. The Mhazi and Nyamuzihwa poems use it.
The Gurundoro poem says its clan keeps the lion and the leopard (vaera shumba nembada), and praises the leopard's spots. The other Shumba poems do not say so.
A Shona dictionary explains Murambwi as a Shumba praise name about the way the lion is disliked by the animals it eats.
Shumba Gurundoro, Shumba Mhazi, Shumba Murambwi, Shumba Nyamuzihwa, Shumba Sipambi.
Traditionally, people of the same mutupo and chidawo do not marry: they are counted as one family. Between different Shumba clans some families allow it, often after a ceremony that cuts the kinship (kucheka ukama).
Pick your totem and clan once. The app greets you by your praise name after that.
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