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The South African country is known for its diverse cultures, languages and ethnic groups. This is one of the reasons the South African citizens are interested in knowing about each other and sometimes stereotyping one another. If anyone is to tell you that they have never heard anything about another ethnic group, it’s a lie! It’s very simple, the unknown is always fascinating and as far as stereotypes are concerned; it arouses more interest. Stereotypes are defined as a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image of a particular type of person or thing, basically a label. Stereotypes may be good or bad and trueRead More →

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Do you know how in the West parents just grab a fairytale book from the bookshelf and read to their children about wonderland until they sleep? Xitsonga people sit around the fire and listen to their grandparents tell stories. Gone are those days when at night; we sat around the fire in the village and listened to our grandmothers pass their wisdom to us, teaching us about their life experiences in order to guide us. In Xitsonga, we call these stories “Mintsheketo” known as folktales in English. Before telling the story, our grandmothers would start by saying: “Garingani wa Garingani” and all of us wouldRead More →

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There’s big difference between how English and indigenous African language people express themselves and just to put a disclaimer; this is not a racist or a tribalist article, it’s just for laughs. For instance, when Africans speak; they are not only verbal about it but also use body language and also mimic sounds to add a few imaginative effects into their expression or story telling. Below are few examples that show how a Xitsonga person and an English speaking person express themselves. English Speaker: Wow! Nice Hair! Xitsonga Speaker: Loyi u rhandza ngopfu swilo wee, se u taku i yini leswinga lukiwa manjhe? A swiRead More →

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We’ve always heard sayings such as “it is impolite to speak with your mouth full” or “never eat off a knife when having a meal,” these are taboos and are predominantly English. Do you know of taboos from other places or people around the world such as Tsonga people? According to yourdictionary.com, the word taboo refers to “an activity that is forbidden or sacred based on religious beliefs or morals. Breaking a taboo is extremely objectionable in society as a whole. Around the world, an act may be taboo in one culture and not in another.” While English people would say “it is taboo,” TsongaRead More →

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Body language is an important form of communication and there are many ways in which our bodies tell us that something is wrong or right with us. However; in some cultures, your body may communicate a certain superstition or something not related to your health. A superstition is an excessively trusting belief in the supernatural. Below are five Xitsonga human body superstitions, their meanings and also their scientific explanation. Sweaty Nose It means you’re stubborn. Having a sweaty nose even when it is cold outside symbolised how stubborn and feisty you are as a person. A sweaty nose indicates a condition called hyperhidrosis, i.e. anRead More →

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Why do we have names? It is for recognition purposes and to also identify one from the other but in Africa, names are a form of a statement. They are either personal stories by parents, a reminder to an individual affected by the birth of a child whereas some names are honorary, symbolic and ancestral – this also applies in Xitsonga culture. As modern and open-minded individuals, we seem not to mind naming our children using names from other ethnic groups. If you’re not Tsonga and would like to give your child a Xitsonga name, below are common unisex names and together with their meanings.Read More →

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Tsonga people eat termites! You might have reacted with a twisted expression of pain or disgust on your face but termites are full of protein, mineral nutrients and vitamins.   While so much has been said about Mopani worms, little if not nothing is known about termites. In 2018, a study by Shandukani Netshifhefhe, a PhD student student at Wits University published in the South African Journal of Science revealed that termites; which contribute significantly to the livelihoods of many rural families in the Vhembe District Municipality of Limpopo are edible insects beneficial to a person’s health.   WHAT ARE TERMITES? Known as majenjhe inRead More →

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What’s the first thing you do when you see someone in Africa? Greet them! There’s no denying that greetings around the world differ from culture to culture and are sometimes shaped by our religions, customs and beliefs. This is why we would like to teach you a few ways Xitsonga people greet one another. Like in any other language, there are terms or words used for “good morning,” “good afternoon” and “good evening”. In Xitsonga, these type of greetings are suitable for when greeting the elders, a group of people or the people you respect highly: Avuxeni (/ah-boo-share-ni/) meaning ‘good morning’ – The word ‘Avuxeni’ literallyRead More →

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If there’s one month that most South Africans look forward to all year is December! Simply because we go on holidays, spend more time with family and do things! Just for laughs: we’ve compiled some of the things that we believe Tsonga people do during the Christmas Season. Check these out! We pack and go home! – What would festive season be without packing a few of our belongings and goodies then head back to the village via the N1 North? We only reside outside of Limpopo because of our careers, if we had it our way; we would have our own Johannesburg, Cape TownRead More →

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Braided hairstyles are an artform in their own right, with a rich history dating back thousands of years. They have appeared in many cultures worldwide, on almost every continent. From classic cornrows and simple three-strand braids to French braids and beyond, hair braiding has been used to show societal and marital status, ethnicity, religion, wealth – not to mention sheer style and artistry.  To celebrate the beauty and variety of this heritage, Darling would like to introduce you to several of these classic braid styles. The French braid “The French braid is a variation on the classic three strand braid, where you add hair toRead More →