Zimbabwe Demographics
| Ethnic Groups | African 98% (Shona 82%, Ndebele 14%, other 2%), mixed and Asian 1%, white less than 1% |
|---|---|
| Population Growth Rate | 4.38% |
| Population in Major Urban Areas | HARARE (capital) 1.542 million |
| Predominant Language | English (official), Shona, Sindebele |
| Urban Population | 38.6% |
Contents
What are the cultures of Zimbabwe?
The Shona and Ndebele people are the two biggest ethnicities. The Shona form the majority of the population – approximately 80%. They traditionally have a strong regional clan structure, with six main groups: the Manyika, the Ndau, the Zezuru, the Karanga, the Korekore and the Rozvi.
How many cultures are there in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe has 16 official languages, Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, “Koisan” (presumably Tsoa), Nambya, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, “sign language” (Zimbabwean sign languages), Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa. Much of the population speaks Bantu languages, such as Shona (chishona) (76%) and Ndebele (18%).
Can I marry my cousin in Zimbabwe?
Would you marry your cousin? Yes, according to some BaSotho tribesmen of Gwanda District in Matabeleland South Province, who until Zimbabwe’s independence, married their cousins.
What is the culture of Shona?
Shona traditional culture, now fast declining, was noted for its excellent ironwork, good pottery, and expert musicianship. There is belief in a creator-god, Mwari, and a concern to propitiate ancestral and other spirits to ensure good health, rain, and success in enterprise.
What are some customs and traditions in Zimbabwe?
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.
What are cultural customs?
A custom is defined as a cultural idea that describes a regular, patterned behavior that is considered characteristic of life in a social system. Shaking hands, bowing, and kissing—all customs—are methods of greeting people. The method most commonly used in a given society helps distinguish one culture from another.
Is Zimbabwe a multicultural society?
Zimbabwe is a multicultural nation (Ministry of Education, Arts, Sports and culture, 2004:4; Nziramasanga Commission, 1999:358).These acts and policies aim to provide equal access to education to all learners irrespective of race, gender, ethnicity, religious and social class background.
What is Zimbabwe best known for?
It is a country of superlatives, thanks to Victoria Falls (the largest waterfall in the world) and Lake Kariba (the largest man-made lake in terms of volume). National parks such as Hwange and Mana Pools teem with wildlife, making Zimbabwe one of the continent’s best places to go on safari.
What do Zimbabweans do for entertainment?
For cultural performances, live music, poetry, theatre etc, Harare or Bulawayo is the best spot. Some high-end restaurants and hotels (particularly in Victoria Falls) offer nightly shows of traditional dance, singing and drumming.
What religion is Zimbabwe?
Christians
Most Zimbabweans are Christians. Statistics estimate that 74.8% identify as Protestant (including Apostolic – 37.5%, Pentecostal – 21.8% or other Protestant denominations – 15.5%), 7.3% identify as Roman Catholic and 5.3% identify with another denomination of Christianity.
What are families like in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwean society is generally very patriarchal. While there are some minority tribal groups that are matrilocal and matrilineal, men generally hold more decision-making power. Within the family, the oldest male (usually the father) is the patriarch and is expected to be the breadwinner for the entire household.
What is Kukumbira marriage?
It is a formal way of asking for a bride/woman’s hand in marriage from her parents, but with her informed consent. In the Shona culture, kukumbira is the most legitimate and esteemed traditional customary marriage system. In this practice, the suitor is invited to the home of the fiancée for preliminary introduction.
What did the Zimbabweans wear?
Modern, Western-style clothing is the usual outfit in Zimbabwe. There are very few people who wear traditional clothes on a regular basis. Traditional dress include a headdress, a wraparound cloth, and ornaments such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Do they speak French in Zimbabwe?
The country’s main languages are Shona, spoken by over 70% of the population, and Ndebele, spoken by roughly 20%. English is the country’s lingua franca, used in government and business and as the main medium of instruction in schools.
What is the Shona traditional religion?
Religion: The Shona religion is a blend of monotheism and veneration of ancestors. The creator god, Mwari, is omnipotent but also remote; ancestors and other spirits serve as intermediaries between Mwari and the people.All of these spirits communicate with humans through spiritual mediums, called svikiro.
Why do Zimbabweans not eat pork?
Some Zimbabweans may not eat pork for religious reasons.If eating out, it is expected that the oldest or wealthiest male will pay for everyone’s meal.
What is Zimbabwe traditional food?
Zimbabwean Food: 17 Popular and Traditional Dishes to Try
- Zimbabwean Mains.
- 1 – Maizemeal – Sadza/Itshwala.
- 2 – Porridge – Bota/Iyambazi.
- 3 – Yellow Watermelon with Sun-Dried Maize – Umxhanxa.
- 4 – Peanuts, Maize and Beans Dish – Mutakura/Mangai.
- 5 – Yams – Madhumbe/Magogoya.
How do people greet in Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwean Culture
- Greet anyone older than yourself first.
- The common greeting is a firm handshake with the right hand.
- The traditional greeting involves a clap after the handshake.
- Women may lower their body briefly, kneel or curtsy whilst shaking hands out of respect.
What are 10 different cultures?
Top 10 Different Cultures Around the World
- The Italian Culture. Italy, the land of pizza and Gelato held peoples’ interest in captivity for centuries.
- The French.
- The Spaniards.
- The Chinese.
- The Land of the Free.
- The Second Most Populated Country.
- The United Kingdom.
- Greece.
What are 5 examples of culture?
Regional Culture
However, there are many cultural differences between particular regions of the country. Speaking with a southern drawl or using southern dialect identifies a person to others as being native to a particular region of the United States (the South).
