Discus the social organization of the Shona during the pre-colonial period.
Answer:
- They believed in a supreme creator Mwari who was served by priests from the Rozwi clan.
- They also believed in ancestral spirits such as Vadzimu (family spirits) Mhondoro (clan
spirits) and Chamiruka (National spirits).
- The Shona had a patrilineal kingship system whereby inheritance was through the father.
- They were divided into clans and clan names were derived from animals such as leopard, monkey elephant etc.
- The Shona were a polygamous community one could marry many wives. However, marriage between
related clans was prohibited.
- They lived in stone buildings since they were highly skilled in masonry.
- A lot of attention was paid was paid to adornment e.g. tattoo marks and elaborate
hairstyles were common among the Shona.
- Work was divided along gender lines for instance men constructed huts While
women brew beer fetched water and firewood.