Tag: Nightjars

Zimbabwean Bird Names (Larks – Nightjars)

Posted on by birdsinfolklore

Below are Zimbabwean names for birds corresponding with those that begin with the letters ‘L-N’ in the English vernacular. These local bird names were obtained from personal communication with contributors, as well as reference to lists contained in Cooke (1970) and Maclean (1985). These are not exhaustive and may be subject to minor errors.

Links to further information pertaining to each group or taxa are included.

Larks (Generic)
Chiteburimbuyu; Chitegudzambuya – Shona (all dialects)
iNtotapanzi – Ndebele
Mamhengele; Maphuluweni; Matharathara – Shangaan/Tsonga
Malibewane – Venda/Sotho

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/alaudidae/index.htm

Longclaws (Generic)
Majisa – Shona (all dialects)
Holoyo; Hwiyo – Shangaan/Tsonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/motacillidae/macronyx.htm

Lourie (Grey / Grey go-away bird)
Sviravava, Kuwe, Pfunye – Shona (all dialects)
umGuwe – Ndebele
Simkulwe – Nambya
Mukuwe; Mokowe – Venda/Sotho
Nkwenyana – Shangaan/Tsonga
Chamcurure – baTonga

Lourie (Purple-crested Lourie / Purple-crested Turaco)
Chikurungadovi; Gwenyakweya; Chimotswava – Shona (all dialects)
umGuwe – Ndebele
Nkwenyana; Ntlume; Tulutulu – Shangaan/Tsonga
Kuwe – baTonga

Lourie (Livingstone’s)
Hurukuru – Shona (all dialects)
Kuwe – baTonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/musophagidae/index.htm

Mannikins (Generic)
Zadzadanga; Zadzasaga; Kazazazimba – Shona (all dialects)
Rijajani – Shangaan/Tsonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/estrildidae/index.htm

Mousebird (Red-faced)
Shirapopo – Shona (all dialects)
umTshiyavovo; umTshivovo – Ndebele
Letswiyobaba – Venda/Sotho
Ncivovo; Tshivhovo – Shangaan/Tsonga
Chamyomveyomve – baTonga

Mousebird (Speckled)
Ndlazi – Shangaan/Tsonga

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/coliidae/index.htm

Nightjars (Generic)
Dabgwa, Datiwa – Shona (all dialects)
uManubane; iDahwa; iDamba – Ndebele
Liwubawuba; Leuwauwe  – Venda/Sotho
Kubhasti; Ribyatsane, Riwuvawuva – Shangaan/Tsonga
Likumba – baTonga
Chidabwa – Nambya

http://www.biodiversityexplorer.info/birds/caprimulgidae/index.htm

Additional References:

Cooke, P. (1970). Ndebele Bird Names. NADA, vol.10 (2): 67-68.

Maclean, GL. (1985). Roberts’ Birds of Southern Africa (5th ed.). John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa.

In the next post I will move on to bird names beginning with the letter ‘O’.

Nightjars in Zimbabwean Folklore

Posted on by birdsinfolklore

Nightjars are nocturnal insectivores that make use of their large gape to capture prey whilst on the wing. Of the six species that occur in Zimbabwe, most undertake some degree of seasonal or regional movement and are often encountered during the day when disturbed from ground roosts or nests where cryptic colouration prevents detection until they reluctantly take flight. The Mozambique Nightjar Caprimulgus fossii is pictured in a typical pose.

The increased frequency of calling becomes distinctly more noticeable prior to breeding during the wet season, and for this reason many Ndebele people believe that these birds herald the rainfall. However, due to their nocturnal aerial foraging and unobtrusive habits many also treat nightjars with suspicion and it is widely considered to be a bad omen should one of these birds settle on the ground near a homestead or village.

During interviews, people of Shangaan, Ndau and Venda origin related a common local belief that nightjars are particularly unintelligent. A person who continually makes mistakes is thus likened to one of these birds. Traditional practitioners are also said to make a powder from the ashes or eggs for a husband to mix in with the food of a ‘troublesome’ wife in order to make her ‘stupid’ and ensure her obedience.

Local names for nightjars in Zimbabwe:
Ndahwa, Dabgwa, Datiwa – Shona (all dialects)
iDahwa – Ndebele
Liwubawuba – Venda/Sotho
Libwatsani, Ribyatsani, Riwuvawuva – Shangaan
Lukumba – baTonga

Information for this section was obtained only from original interviews.

Additional reference to other sources for the rest of Africa revealed only a common Kenyan belief that bad luck will befall anyone who kills one of these birds or disturbs the eggs.

Additional Reference:

Cocker, M & Tipling, D. (2013). Birds and People, Jonathan Cape, London, England.

For more information on the species mentioned here visit:

https://ebird.org/species/sqtnig1

http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/22690016