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.