Clans In Zimbabwe Flashcards
(335 cards)
What is a clan?
A group of people with close family ties who share a history and often a family name
Clans are found all over the world and have a shared identity.
How are clans defined in Zimbabwe?
Families who group themselves together based on a common ancestor
Members of a clan have descended from a common ancestor, usually male.
Who is considered the spiritual guide of a clan in Zimbabwe?
The common ancestor
The common ancestor and totem unify the clan.
What is a totem in the context of Zimbabwean clans?
A symbol which identifies the clan
For example, the heart identifies the Moyo clan, and the monkey identifies the Soko clan.
When does a Zimbabwean child receive their clan name?
From the day of birth
The clan name is also referred to as isibongo or mutopo.
What are isiNdebele surnames that also function as clan names?
Khumalo and Nyathi
These surnames are examples of clan names (isibongo).
Name one TjiKalanga-speaking clan and its totem.
Moyo (heart totem)
Other TjiKalanga-speaking clans include Mlalazi (sharpening-stone totem) and Gumbo (foot totem).
Which ancient African empires do Kalanga clans trace their history to?
Khami and Rozvi
These empires are part of the historical background of Kalanga clans.
True or False: A common ancestor in a clan can only be male.
False
In some clans, the common ancient ancestor is a female.
Fill in the blank: The Moyo clan is represented by the _______.
heart totem
This totem symbolizes the Moyo clan.
What is a common characteristic of communities in cities regarding clans?
They contain a mixture of clans
This diversity is often seen within broader ethnic groups, such as the Shona.
Within the Shona group, how do individuals typically identify?
With a particular clan rather than the Shona group as a whole
This indicates a strong sense of clan identity.
Can people from different regions belong to the same clan?
Yes
This is illustrated by IsiNdebele-speaking clans sharing lineage with the Khumalo people.
What need did clans in Zimbabwe originate from?
The need to identify as members of a group that belong together and to differentiate from other clans
This identification was often symbolized by totems.
What role did totems play in clan identity?
They made the group identity clear
Totems often represent specific animals or natural elements significant to the clan.
What was one rule that clans established regarding marriage?
People from the same clan were not allowed to marry each other
This practice helped guard against incest.
What environmental responsibility did clans have?
They were instructed to look after the environment and protect their totems
For example, not eating eland meat if the eland was your totem.
What was a practical benefit of forming clans?
Clans proved a useful way of organizing the way people lived together
It became a widespread practice in communities.
Fill in the blank: Clans originated from people’s need to identify as members of a group that belong together and to identify their differences from other _______.
[clans]
What is a totem in the context of a clan?
A totem is the symbol of a clan that identifies the clan and keeps it together.
Give an example of a totem for the Bakuli clan.
Elephant
What qualities do clan members admire in their totem animals?
Bravery, strength, cleverness
How do totems serve as unifying factors for clans?
They inspire members to embody qualities associated with their totem.
What role do ancestors play in clan spirituality?
They serve as spiritual guides for clan members.