This book of Shona lessons by Dambudzo Ruzhowa (HarperCollins Zimbabwe) is a good introduction to the language: grammar, vocabulary, conversations to practice, translation exercises. When this book came out in 1997, it was the first one that didn't seem to be written by missionaries - a huge improvement over its predecessors. It has been reprinted in a second edition.

Learn greetings and manners, and how to interact with your mbira teacher - important things like "Could you play slower"! We recorded author and master teacher Patience Chaitezvi saying each of the items in the book. We suggest using a program like iTunes to easily repeat over an over any phrases that are difficult for you. Print edition: Printed text and CD delivered by mail. For E-edition, see Catalog No. 35000 Recorded August 2008 at Berkeley, California. Musician: Patience Chaitezvi.

Learn greetings and manners, and how to interact with your mbira teacher - important things like "Could you play slower"! We recorded author and master teacher Patience Chaitezvi saying each of the items in the book. We suggest using a program like iTunes to easily repeat over an over any phrases that are difficult for you. e-edition: Text (pdf file) and Audio (mp3 files) delivered by email. For print edition, see Catalog No. 35001 Recorded August 2008 at Berkeley, California. Musician: Patience Chaitezvi.