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Shona Definition
Dzimwe nguva ngozi inogonawo kutandwa namagomboti ane simba. Kana munhu akapara mhosva huru anotofanira kuripa nomuripo unokosha. Sokuti kana munhu akauraya munhu, zvikuru uya asingazivikanwi rudzi rwake, nyakuuraya anoripa mhosva yakadai nomutumbu womwana wezera diki.
English Translation
A spirit of this kind may be driven off with potent herbs, but a grave offence demands a costly payment. The saying points to killing, for which the dead person's people had to be compensated heavily — formerly with a young child handed over by the killer.
Cultural Context
“Invoked in matters of bloodguilt, where restitution to the aggrieved family is unavoidable and expensive.”
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