One of the earliest known Zimbabwe Traditions is the use of Totems
Totems also know as mitupos were used by the Mashona to identify the different clans that mad up the ancient civilizations of the dynasties.The symbols are usually associated with animal names and provide the social identity of the clan. They are also meant to guard against incestuous behaviour and to praise someone in recited poetry.there are at least 25 identifiable totems and 60 principal names (zvidawo) in the contemporary mashoa society.
Every Mashona clan is identified by a particular totem and a principal praise name, which distinguishes people who have the same totem but are from different clans.
People of the same totem are descendants of one common ancestor and the Mashona recognize this totem unity even across tribal boundary lines. Totem identity is very important at traditional ceremonies. For example, a person of the same totem, even when that person is from a different tribe, can initiate burial of the deceased. However, a person from a different totem cannot initiate burial and if he does, he risks paying a substantial fine to the family of the deceased.
For thousands of years, the mashona have used the mashona in their ceremonies. It plays a major role in Zimbabwe tradition. The mbira is a musical instrument constructed of a wooden board with staggered metal keys.
Mbira music is sacred in the mashona culture as it is used to contact both deceased ancestors and tribal guardians during all-night Mbira ceremonies. During these ceremonies, the people receive guidance from the spirits of family ancestors (vadzimu), spirits of deceased chiefs (mhondoro) and the most powerful guardian spirits of the Mashona (makombwe).
Zimbabwe Tradition uses the mbira to govern the weather in times such as droughts and floods. It also chases away harmful spirits and cures sickness. The mbira is used in all celebrations, such as weddings and the installation of new chiefs, as well as death ceremonies.
Every Mashona clan is identified by a particular totem and a principal praise name, which distinguishes people who have the same totem but are from different clans.
People of the same totem are descendants of one common ancestor and the Mashona recognize this totem unity even across tribal boundary lines. Totem identity is very important at traditional ceremonies. For example, a person of the same totem, even when that person is from a different tribe, can initiate burial of the deceased. However, a person from a different totem cannot initiate burial and if he does, he risks paying a substantial fine to the family of the deceased.
For thousands of years, the mashona have used the mashona in their ceremonies. It plays a major role in Zimbabwe tradition. The mbira is a musical instrument constructed of a wooden board with staggered metal keys.
Mbira music is sacred in the mashona culture as it is used to contact both deceased ancestors and tribal guardians during all-night Mbira ceremonies. During these ceremonies, the people receive guidance from the spirits of family ancestors (vadzimu), spirits of deceased chiefs (mhondoro) and the most powerful guardian spirits of the Mashona (makombwe).
Zimbabwe Tradition uses the mbira to govern the weather in times such as droughts and floods. It also chases away harmful spirits and cures sickness. The mbira is used in all celebrations, such as weddings and the installation of new chiefs, as well as death ceremonies.
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