Introduction

Oral tradition has always played a vital role in preserving African culture, values, and traditions. In Zimbabwe, oral tradition is an important instrument for the Shona people to convey their culture. Culture is transmitted orally through a variety of means, including proverbs, songs, folklore, and stories. Despite modernization, Shona cultural songs are treasured in Zimbabwe. This article discusses the thriving oral heritage through Shona traditional songs.

Understanding of Oral Tradition

Oral tradition refers to messages and teachings that are passed down from one generation to the next. Oral tradition is an essential component of a people’s heritage. Heritage is what people inherit from previous generations. This encompasses traditions, values, and beliefs. People, for example, use many methods to conduct funerals, weddings, and ceremonies. These habits are ingrained in culture. Oral tradition becomes a tool for sustaining this culture by instructing current generations to practice the same practices as previous generations. 

Storytelling is a fundamental aspect of oral tradition. Storytelling is the practice of narrating past events using songs, proverbs, and folklore. These stories are conveyed with articulate body motions and face expressions to make the message memorable. Repetition of sounds, words, and phrases is employed in storytelling to effectively express a cultural message.

Oral Tradition in Shona Cultural Songs

Songs important in the Shona culture as they are performed during various ceremonies. These ceremonies include but not limited to weddings, funerals and traditional ceremonies (bira/mapira). The most common instruments used by the Shona in their cultural songs include drums (ngoma), shakers (hosho), mbira and xylophone (marimba). Modern Shona musicians use these instruments to orally propagate the Shona tradition and heritage.

One example of a Shona cultural song is a song called “Chaminuka Ndimambo”. This song is about praising a powerful Shona spirit medium called Chaminuka that once existed. This song teaches about the importance of spirit mediums in the Shona culture.

Another song that testifies oral tradition in Shona culture is “Changamire Mudzimu Dzoka”. This song is basically about praising ancestors. The singer gets in a lamenting mood, appealing to the ancestors to come back and watch over the living. The ancestors are portrayed as guardians who watch over the living and protect them.

No singer can claim ownership to these songs as they are passed on from generation to generation, Modern day Shona cultural singers still sing these songs which is a beautiful testament about the power of oral tradition. Although the tune of the song may differ from one singer to another, the lyrics and message remain the same.

Conclusion

Traditions are important as they define a people. Oral tradition is an important tool for preserving and propagating traditions from generation to generation. The Zimbabwean Shona cultural songs are highly valued by the people. The fact that they are still performed augments the claim of thriving oral tradition and culture.