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Mhondoro Dzinonwa

Background

The interpretation of this song has a deep and spiritual meaning as the lion represents a spiritual ancestor of the Shona people. The lion is highly respected and powerful as it drinks from the mighty Zambezi River that boarders Zimbabwe and Zambia, and the smaller Save River, which is seen as a sacred and superior river.

Direct English Translation:

Leader: Drinks from the Zambezi (river), drinks from the Save (river), drinks and (they) are difficult to findResponse: Lions drinks

Shona Lyrics

Dzinonwa MunaZambezi

Dzinonwa MunaSave

Dzinonwa muchihwandehwande

Dzinonwa Mhaduwe Dzinonwa MunaZambezi

Dzinonwa MunaSave

Response: Mhondoro dzinonwa

Pronunciation Guide

Dzee-non-nwah moo-nah-Zah-mbe-zee-ee Dzee-non-nwah moo-nah-Sah-veh Dzee-non-nwah moo-chee-wan-deh-wan-deh-eh Dzee-non-nwah mah-doo-weh Response: Moh-ndoh-roh dzee-non-nwah - Audio Clips !

Home Songs Page

The Traditional Dance and Music Group from the Cultural Village at the Great Zimbabwe World Heritage performing Mhondoro Dzinonwa

Mr Herema teaches the Zimbabwean Folk song 'Mhondoro Dzinonwa' to a primary school music class using vocals, body percussion, small marimbas/xylophone, and handheld drums.

Mr Kenneth Kabaya teaches Mhondoro Dzinonwa to senior school students on the Nyunga-Nyunga Mbira

Choir Arrangment

This choir arrangment of Mhondoro Dzinonwa is created by Billy St John for an SAB choir with use of a soloist or group of leaders and percussion instruments.

Link to PDF File

Home Songs Page

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