Shona people

The Shona (Karanga), 70 percent of Zimbabwe with kin in Mozambique, South Africa and the diaspora, speak chiShona in six great clusters, Manyika, Karanga, Zezuru, Korekore, Kalanga and Ndau. Migrating from the Congo basin toward the end of the first millennium, they raised the dry-stone marvels of Mapungubwe's successor, Great Zimbabwe, whose walls enclosed gold trade, cattle wealth and the fish-eagle soapstone birds. Mwene Mutapa emperors and Rozvi changamires ruled the plateau's gold country for centuries. Spirit mediums, mbira thumb pianos and the kurova guva rites of bringing home the dead order Shona religion. Colonial land theft and liberation war made and unmade the nation; townships, growth points and diaspora remittances keep the plateau's majority speaking. Mozambique's Shona farm the same highlands as kin. Manyika, Zezuru and Ndau radio stations broadcast daily. Karanga and Kalanga elders still settle land cases. Congo basin songs still echo in Shona lullabies. South African Shona send remittances home monthly.