The Shona are a people that make up the largest demographic group in Zimbabwe (a group that includes Martin Ganda’s family). Shona is also the name of the language that many Shona people speak, particularly in their homes, although English is also widely spoken in Zimbabwe.
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Shona Term Timeline in I Will Always Write Back
The timeline below shows where the term Shona appears in I Will Always Write Back. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1: Caitlin, September 1997
...also broke from British rule. She learns that 90 percent of Zimbabwean people are called Shona, and that Shona is the official language of Zimbabwe (although many also speak English). Another...
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Part 1: Martin, October 1997
...asks him to read it for the class. (Martin is fluent in English but speaks Shona with family and friends.) The class laughs at Caitlin Stoicsitz’s name, which is strange to...
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...(with Martin’s brother, Nation), she and Martin’s father were forced to marry. Otherwise, according to Shona tradition, they would bring shame to both families. After Nation was born, Martin’s father got...
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...him. (His brother Nation was named after Martin’s father’s favorite cow.) Martin also has a Shona name, Tatenda, which means “thank you.” Martin’s other siblings are named Simba, Lois, and George....
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