Learning Shona Through Music: "Mdhara Vachauya"

WandinzwaTo hear; feel; understand. ndichidaidziraTo shout. dhiya

"You hear me calling, dear"

Ndikati dai wambotarisaTo look; watch. nguvaTime; period or duration.

"I wish you'd keep an eye on the time"

Nekuti zvimwe pamwe mhepoWind; the perceptible natural movement of the air. ichauyaTo come.

"Because maybe a sudden wind might rise"

Asi rambaTo refuse; deny permission or agreement. uchingopenya kunge zuvaSun, the celestial body shining rays of light upon the earth • Day. Each of the twenty-four-hour periods, reckoned from one midnight to the next, into which a week, month, or year is divided, and corresponding to a rotation of the earth on its axis.

"But keep on shining like the sun"

Vakanetsa unoti mdara vachauya ahaa

"They cause trouble—you'll say the old man will come, ah-ha"

Mudhara wacho ishumbaLion. inorumaTo bite; to cut with the teeth. ahaa

"That man's a lion—his bite is real, ah-ha"

Unyerere uchingoshaina ahaa

"Hush now and keep on glowing, ah-ha"

Unyerere uchingoshaina ahaa

"Hush now and keep on glowing, ah-ha"

KangomaDrum; percussion instrument. kadii kakede-kede aiwa tambaTo dance; play.

"Little drum, how sweet—come on, dance"

Chirega kurambaTo refuse; deny permission or agreement. uchingonanaira kunge kambaPolice camp; a place where police are stationed. • Tortoise; a slow-moving land reptile with a shell.

"Stop resisting, stop clinging like a tortoise"

KamotoFire. kerudoLove; a strong feeling of affection. kamberevere musazokadzima

"This little flame of love flickers—don't ever put it out"

Vanosara vachingoringa ringa ndanovhimaTo hunt.

"Let the others circle and stare—me, I'm hunting (I pursue)"

Kuti dzive nganoFolk tale; traditional story.

"So this becomes a tale to tell"

Haiwa isungano

"No—it's a covenant"

Ichi chirangano

"This is a vow"

Chibvumirano

"An agreement of hearts"

VanozivaTo know. kuti mdara vachauya ahaa

"They know the old man will come, ah-ha"

Mudhara wacho ishumbaLion. inorumaTo bite; to cut with the teeth. ahaa

"That man's a lion—his bite is real, ah-ha"

Unyerere uchingoshaina ahaa

"Quiet—keep glittering, ah-ha"

Unyerere uchingoshaina ahaa

"Quiet—keep glittering, ah-ha"

UkandipaTo give; donate. rudoLove; a strong feeling of affection. ndogamuchira nemoyoHeart. wangu

"If you give me love, I'll welcome it with all my heart"

UkarambaTo refuse; deny permission or agreement. angova madzikirira kuhope dzangu

"If you refuse, it will sink deep into my dreams"

MaonaTo see; watch. here chisikanaGirl. chakachangamuka? IruvaFlower; the blossom of a plant. rangu

"Have you seen that lively girl?—she is my flower"

Vakanetsa rambaTo refuse; deny permission or agreement. uchingotsika-tsika dhiya wangu

"Troubles will come—keep stepping steady, my dear"

Ndanga ndina Oskid

"I was with Oskid"