Gratitude is often expressed nonverbally by means of clapping hands (kuwombera). My previous post was about kuwombera and it mainly focused on children not practicing the basic etiquette of clapping hands when something is being passed to them by someone. Kuwombera is also an etiquette of the social and ceremonial greeting amongst the Shona and also an act of approbation and praise.
How to wombera:
For women there is only one form of kuwombera on all occasions. The left hand is kept still, palm slightly hollowed fingers bent slightly. On the right hand, the palm is slightly hollowed and is clapped at right angles across the hollow of the left hand. The fingers of the right hand enclosing the left thumb at each clap. To those whom a woman holds respect, she kneels and claps. This is the general form of greeting to show respect and to express gratitude.
A young woman in greeting an old woman or any woman whom she respects will first cross her hands over her breasts and will then kneel and clap. It is uncommon in most MaShona tribes but is practiced by the vaBuja women of Mtoko district. The Darwin and Vatande of the Dande valley women greet their menfolk in this way, it is not found among the vazezuru and vaManyika.
Another difference is the bending of knees slightly forward in the form of curtsy called kutyora muzura/ru. It may be done with or without clapping. The older women will clap in reply but will not tyora muzura/ru. This is also practiced by women of the Vatande and the Vagowa of the Zambezi valley, but they incline the head to one side.
Kuita Gusvi
This is usually done by the men as form greeting and to show very marked respect to the In-laws. Both hands are equally active. The palms and fingers are hollowed and then clapped together, with fingertips of one hand to the fingertips of the other. The hands are clapped three to four times in fairly quick succession followed by a distinct pause and then two or three claps with a marked pause between them. The father in law replies to this greeting by also clapping. The mother in law too responds by clapping in the one form used by women.
I’m interested in learning how people from other cultures greet each other and express gratitude. Don’t hesitate to add your comments if any.
Culture, Heritage & Roots 