Ndima 1
Maita Shava, Mhofu yomukono, Ziwewera,
Thank you Shava, mighty bull Eland, swift traveler,
Hekani Mutekedza, vari uHera Mukonde.
Gratitude to Mutekedza of Hera Mukonde.
Zvaitwa Mhukahuru, vemiswe inochenga miviri,
Well done Great Beast, whose tails brush away the flies,
Ziendanetyaka, mutunhu une mago.
Graceful strider through rugged wasplands.
Ndima 2
Vane misodzi inodonha pasi,
Whose tears falling to earth,
Kuti yadonha yoda nhevedzo yeromunhu ropa.
Once dropped demand reparation as dear as human blood.
Maita veTsambochena, Mhofu yomukono,
Thank you adorned ones with white bangles, bull Eland,
Kuyambuka rwizi mvura yakwira makomo.
Who cross the river even when floods rise to the hills.
Ndima 3
Totenda voMuchimbare, veGuruuswa,
We thank the sons of Muchimbare, children of historic Guruuswa,
Vane nzangachena kunge mwedzi wejenachena.
Who possess gleaming white teeth radiant like the full moon.
Kuziva zvenyu VaShava Mukonde, vari Gombe,
How gracious are you, Shava Mukonde of Mount Gombe,
Aiwa zvaonekwa Sarirambi, zvaitwa Nyashanu!
It is acknowledged, honored Sarirambi, well done Nyashanu!
💡 Mashoko Anokosha (Key Vocabulary):
| ChiShona |
How to say it (Pronunciation) |
English Meaning |
| Mhofu |
MOH-foo |
Eland antelope, largest African antelope |
| Museyamwa |
moo-say-YAH-mwah |
Praise title meaning one leaned upon for reliable support |
| Guruuswa |
goo-roo-OO-swah |
Legendary savanna plains of early Shona ancestral origin |
| Ziendanetyaka |
zee-eh-ndah-neh-TYAH-kah |
Majestic, confident walking gait across difficult terrain |
🌱 Chidzidzo cheHupenyu (Moral / Reflection):
ChiShona: Kuziva midzi nerudzi rwako kunopa munhu unhu nechiremera muhupenyu.
English: Knowing your ancestral roots and heritage provides self-worth, dignity, and cultural pride.