Mitupo: Shona and Venda Clan Names and Totems
Among the vaShona each member of a clan inherits its totem, the mutupo, together with its principal praise name, the chidawo, and its set of clan praises. They give both men and women an important part of their identity, and give others a way to show them proper respect. [1]
People name themselves by their totem: a member of the Soko clan says Ndiri Soko, I am a Soko. Where several groups share a totem, the chidawo tells them apart, as in Ndiri Soko Murehwa. [1]
Marriage is outside the clan. A spouse comes from a family with a different totem or a different principal praise name, and a wife keeps her own totem after marriage. [1]
The Vhavenda also name their clans by mutupo, and the record gives the Venda word for the clan praise as tshirendo. [2]
Mitupo · Tshivenda · A–Z
Questions About Mitupo
What is a mutupo?
A mutupo is a Shona clan totem. Every member of the clan inherits it, together with the clan's principal praise name and its praises.
What is a chidawo?
The chidawo is the principal praise name that goes with a mutupo. Where several groups share a totem, the chidawo tells them apart.
Can two people with the same mutupo marry?
By custom, a spouse comes from a family with a different totem or a different principal praise name. Marriage within the same sub-clan was treated as incest.
How do I find my mutupo?
Look up your clan in the A to Z index on this page. Each mutupo has its own page with the zvidawo or praise as recorded and the source it came from.
If your family holds more than the record does, add what your family holds.