Shumba - Murambwi

Thank you, The Rejected One (1) Thank you, the Lion The causer of sudden surprise When we see your face

Well done Chibwa, the performer of wonders (2) Our successful hunters, the providers, The one who walks gently, being one of Chibi’ sons (3) The ones who swagger, the eaters of venison (4) Thank you my lion, this very one.

Thank you very much my dog of the wild, this very one Thank you the Mharis, the rainmakers (5) Those who lie buried in Nyaningwe (6) Those who lie buried in Chamhota Thank you Lion

The one who drags at nightfall (7) The one who does not subsist on plunder (8) Thank you, the children of Mhungudza (9) The ones who lie buried at the Junction (10) Your good deeds have been witnessed by all, You, the Mharis

Your good deeds have been performed, you who are at Chitonje (11) Those who turn into leopards even in broad daylight (12) They have been performed, the causer of surprise when they see your spoor. At the sight of your physique, they panic Thank you, who lie buried at the Junction Where the clan parted after the father died. Thank you very much, my black-backed jackal this one Your good deeds have been performed, son of Chibi We can’t ask for more, black-backed jackal The children of Nyamukanga, Makovere They have been performed, you son of the Nyaningwe, Chibwa! (13)

Here is the original in Shona.

Maita Murambwi Maita Shumba Matikaha Kuona chiso.

Hekani Chibwa, Mushereketi, Vadzimba vedu, variritiri, Mutsikapanyoro vana vaChibi, Vakanyairi, vadyi vemhuka, Maita Shumba yangu yiyi

Hekani Bumhi rangu riri, Maita vaMhari, Chipamutoro, Vari Nyaningwe, Vari Chamhota, Maita Shumba.

Mukweverakwasviba, Asingadyi chokupamba, Maita vaMhungudza, Vari Baradzanwa, Zvaonekwa vaMhari.

Zvaitwa vari Chitonje, Vanomuka ngwe namasikati. Zvaitwa Matikaha nokuone gumbo, Kuone mumhu vanovhunduka. Maita varere Baradzanwa. Kwaka paradzanwa baba afa. Hekani Mhungubwe yangu yiyi! Zvaitwa mwana waChibi! Aiawa zvaonekwa Mhungubwe. VaNyamukanga, Makovere. Zvaitwa muNyaningwe, Chibwa!