When I was in school, I hated Shona as a subject. I studied just to pass the exams. In the ZJC shona exam, I knew that my composition did not make sense as soon as I finished it but I was just not bothered to redo it. Which explains the grade I got in that exam. If my parents ever read this blog now they know!
In preparation for our O Level exams we had to read four novels and one of them was Nhume Yamambo by NM Mutasa. I read the book in less than two days in between classes! I enjoyed it. Most people in my class did not get it or just did not like it.
Nhume Yamambo means the paramount chief’servant. The story is set in precolonial Zimbabwe when the Rozvi empire ruled. The main character is Tavada whose uncle Chirisamhuru, is the chief. Chirisamhuru is involved in a fight with Dyembeu for the chieftancy.
Chirisamhuru then sends Tavada to Mabweadziva ( I think this is present day Matopos) a sacred shrine to ask the chief priest Mavhudzi to side with him and not Dyembeu. Tavada’s journey to Mabweadziva has him travelling in the forest and fighting wild animals. Tavada manages to get Mavhudzi on his uncle’s side. Mavhudzi lives with twin sisters and Tavada ends up falling in love with one of them. Eventually Tavada manages to help his uncle win the war against Dyembeu’s army.
The book was written in amazing detail, I did try to figure out where all the places described are in present day Zimbabwe.
There is a sequel for this book, Misodzi, Dikita Neropa (Tears, Sweat and Blood) which details Chirisamhuru’s downfall.
If this book was made into a movie I would watch it.
13 comments
i love reading shona novels too. the most book i have loved to read is Chinamanenji hachifambisi by M A Hamutyinei
I think I read it but I can not remember the story. I have to reread it again.
I LOVE this book.I think it must be turned into a film.Thanks for wonderful website.I read it for enjoyement;I will buy one when i get to zim
I would watch that movie!
I have read most Shona novels… Its hard to tell which one is my best. But in Nhume yamambo, how much is fact and how much is fiction?
And just a correction, Mavhudzi did not stay with the twin sisters Harunandima and Harupindi. He stayed with Harupindi only, Harunandima stayed with Chuwe Tavada and his mother Ndomboya. Haruna was Ndomboya’s servant actually, though Ndomboya was secretely keeping Haruna to be her son, Tavada’s wife
Thanks for reading. I probably have to read the book again to make the corrections.
I think Mutasa’s books are both fact and fiction. He based his books on stories he was told by an older generation to him. It is hard enough to believe that people used to go under a tree and pray to God for food and it would appear especially because we never experienced it. Naturally, parts of his books make you wonder if something like that really happened.
It was also one of the set books i read for my ‘O’ Levels. For me the book was not interesting. (i ddnt like shona in school, kkkkk). The book was written in deep deep shona that i got confused in every event. Maybe now that you showed your insights i might go back and reread it.
I liked Mutasa’s works but Nhume Yamambo was and still my very best i read that book over and over again . After enjoying it musakanganwe , Misodzi Dikita Neropa
I read it but Nhume yamambo has my heart.
Does anyone have an online copy of this novel?
I don’t think you can get an online copy. If I find out how you can get one I will let you know.
I loved this book too, by the time I set for the final I knew I would answer any question or essays from Nhume yaMambo with no problems.
I like this book hey
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