Shona Art
Shona Culture
The Shona tribe is Zimbabwe's largest indigenous group; their tribal language is also called Shona (Bantu), and their population is around 9 million. They are found in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and southern Mozambique in Southern Africa and bordering South Africa. Representing over 80% of the population, the Shona tribe is culturally the most dominant tribe in Zimbabwe. There are five main Shona language groups: Korekore, Zeseru, Manyika, Ndau, and Karanga. The Ndebele largely absorbed the last of these groups when they moved into western Zimbabwe in the 1830s.
Traditionally, Shona people live in isolated settlements, usually consisting of one or more elder men and their extended families. Most decisions are made within the family, although organized political states were recognized as a source of centralized power. A principal chief who inherited his position and power in the same divine manner as a king headed them. He usually lived in a centralized location and was complemented by his court, which advised him about the most important decisions. The head chief often received substantial payment in the form of tributes from his constituency.
The Shona believe in two types of spirits. Shave spirits are most often considered to be outside or wandering spirits and vadzimu are ancestor spirits. Shave spirits are connected to populations living outside of Shona territory and may be connected to neighboring people. These spirits may be either malevolent or benevolent. Bad spirits are associated with witchcraft, while good spirits may inspire individual talents associated with healing, music, or artistic ability. Vadzimu represent all that is ideal and moral about a Shona way of life. They are usually associated with recent ancestors or with more remote culture heroes whose exact genealogy has been forgotten. They serve to protect society, but may withdraw this protection if the Shona moral ideals are not respected
It was in the late 19th century that the peoples of this area, speaking several mutually intelligible languages, were united under the Shona name. Although known for their stone sculpture, the Shona Tribe of Zimbabwe has a rich artistic heritage, which includes decorative fabric painting using sadza too. Sadza (pronounced sudza) is Maize, a primary basis of their diet. Maize (corn) is ground into a fine meal, which is then cooked with water until it is the consistency of mashed potatoes. Although eaten plain, sadza is often served with a vegetable or meat sauce to give it flavor. This painting technique uses the sadza instead of wax as a masking between the different paint colors. After painting, the canvas is left to dry in the sun. Finally, the fabric is washed to remove the sadza, leaving it with a unique finished appearance. Designs often use traditional geometric patterns mixed with stylized objects from everyday Shona life
Shona Sculpture Art
We possess a unique yet vibrant cultural sound in our beautiful country, Zimbabwe. We have globally recognized musicians that include Oliver Mtukudzi, Mukanya....etc. Music plays a central role in Shona culture and is closely linked to the traditions and spiritual life of the people. Different music instruments like mbira, hosho, and Ngoma loudly echo the Shona tradition sounds, while the Shona people cheer and drink "7 days", a colloquial name for traditional Shona beer in Zimbabwe, known by many other names like Ngoto-Ndari, Mupeta, or Doro. The name refers to the typical seven-day fermentation process. It is a culturally significant, low-alcohol brew made from fermented grains like maize, sorghum, millet, or rapoko, used for ceremonies, social gatherings meant to summon ancestral spirits to guide families and show them the way to insure culture, traditions and customs set out centuries ago remain unultered.
During our travels, we have the privilege of experiencing authentic musical performances, from traditional ceremonies to contemporary concerts. These musical experiences not only enrich our connection to Shona culture but also influence our perception and understanding of Shona art.
Zimbabwe's deep musical heritage is evident in the captivating rhythms and melodies that fill the landscape and everyday life. Just like the sculptures, the music reflects the life, history, and spirituality of the Shona people.
We are proud to share this vibrant musical tradition with you by recording during our travels and presenting them on our website. This allows us to offer you a more comprehensive insight into Shona culture and invite you to discover Zimbabwe's diverse and captivating arts scene.
Shona artist are well known for their stone sculptures and are typically called "Shona" sculptures because it is the name of the tribe in Zimbabwe that has traditionally created these works of art. The stone carving has been part of the Zimbabwean culture since 1200 AD when Great Zimbabwe, an archaeological masterpiece of their early ancestors, was built.
The re-emergence of this stone carving tradition in the 1950s, the solid forms and beautiful surfaces of Shona sculpture express an extraordinary emotional power". Today the art form commands worldwide recognition with the world's most talented carvers being recognized in Zimbabwe
The Shona sculptures are produced from a variety of stones. Serpentine stone, with its considerable range of colors and hardness, is the material most commonly used by the sculptors. Most serpentine stone used was formed over 2.6 billion years ago. Serpentine stone exists in a diversity of colors including black (the hardest and least common), browns, mauves, greens, and yellows. Sometimes sculptures are also made semi-precious stones like "Leopard Rock" and Verdite.
Drawing on ancient sculpting traditions they have produced a modern art movement of dignified, exquisite works. Reminiscent of Picasso and Henry Moore, these extraordinary, intense works speak to all humanity.
Rhythm of the Shona
We possess a unique yet vibrant cultural sound in our beautiful country, Zimbabwe. We have globally recognized musicians that include Oliver Mtukudzi, Mukanya, etc, who rose to fame through the unique talent of preserving the cultural Shona rhythm in their modern-day songs.
Music plays a central role in Shona culture and is closely linked to the traditions and spiritual life of the people. Different music instruments like mbira, hosho, and Ngoma loudly echo the Shona tradition sounds during social gatherings particularly traditional ceremonies meant to summon ancestral spirits to guide families and preserve culture, traditions, and customs set out centuries ago, remain unaltered.
We have the privilege of experiencing authentic musical performances, from traditional ceremonies to contemporary concerts. These musical experiences not only enrich our connection to Shona culture but also influence our perception and understanding of Shona art.
Zimbabwe's deep musical heritage is evident in the captivating rhythms and melodies that fill the landscape and everyday life. Just like the sculptures, the music reflects the life, history, and spirituality of the Shona people.
We are proud to share this vibrant musical tradition with you by recording and adding songs and presenting them on our website. This allows us to offer you a more comprehensive insight into Shona culture and invite you to discover Zimbabwe's diverse and captivating arts scene.
Shona Functional art & Crafts
As a way to ensure the continued growth of the art world, a radical approach is required; a challenging of the status quo; a return to first-principles thinking infused with modern systems.
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Our mission is to represent art in its most complete form.
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