Draft for family feedback. Names and links come from our family tree workbook and are still being checked. Please send corrections.
Chihwa family emblem: a painted wild dog
Our totem · Chihwa

Chihwa Family

Descendants of Nyagomo and Mukandi

Kept by the Machakaire family, honouring every branch and those who came before us.

🔍 Find my name ❓ How to use this site

How to use this site

It's easy. You only need your phone.

  1. 🔍
    Tap “Find my name”It's the red button at the very top of the page.
  2. 🔑
    Type the family passcodeThe first time only: type the passcode from our family WhatsApp group, then tap Unlock. Your phone remembers it.
  3. 👆
    Type your name, then tap itFor example: Tamuka. You will see your parents, grandparents and children, all the way back to Nyagomo.
  4. ✏️
    Something wrong or missing?Tap the red “Send a correction” button. Write what is wrong, then tap Submit. That's it!
  5. 🕊️
    Family eventsScroll down to Event pages and tap a page to open it.
  6. 📱
    Get family news by SMSNo data or WhatsApp? Tap SMS sign-up, type your name and Zimbabwe phone number (077, 078, 079 or 071), tick the box and tap Sign up. To stop, tell Tatenda on WhatsApp.
  7. 📸
    Add photosSend them to Tatenda, or admins add them in the admin under Family tree.

Stuck? 💬 Ask Tatenda on WhatsApp

Our story

What has been passed down so far. Elders, please help us add to it, correct it, and record the versions you know.

IA civil war between Chief Charima and Mutambara caused a mass migration from the Mutambara area.
IINyagomo and Mukandi first migrated to Mozambique, then returned to Zimbabwe as mercenaries and missionaries.
IINyagomo and Mukandi fled with Kahamba, Mukandi's son, who was about to be sacrificed to trap a leopard.
Another version
IIIThey were skilled tradesmen who carved hoes and other tools, impressing Chief Makoni.
IVChief Makoni gave them wives and land to settle in his area. Nyagomo settled at Dimbiti, and Mukandi at Eagles Nest.
VMukandi went hunting and was away a long time. Nyagomo took his wife and had a son, Manyati, before Mukandi returned and took his wife back.

Our totem

Mutupo: Chihwa, the painted wild dog  ·  Chidawo: Bonga

Detembo (one common version)

Maita Bonga Chihwa
Maita Sigauke
Bonga Chihwa
Mwaita Mutambara
Mwaita WaGarwe
Mutupo wetakagurirana
Matikaha ngekuone tsimba
Kuona mumhu tinodedera
Mwaita Bumhi Muera Imbwa
Wanodya ichifamba
Chadonha pasi hawadyi
Dehwe rehosi tusa vanthu
Karimera mutete
Zvaitwa Ngonyamu

Shared by family. Elders, please correct it or send the version you know.

The branches

Tap a branch to open it in the family tree.

Family tree

Search for yourself or anyone you know, or browse by generation. Tap a name to see their line back to Nyagomo. Spot a mistake? Every person has a “Send a correction” button.

Generation:

👉 Tap the circle ▸ to open a branch and see who's inside. Tap a name to see that person.

Event pages

Where we're going

This is a starting point. The aim is one home for the whole family: our tree, our stories, and a place to come together for the moments that matter.

Now

Draft & feedback

  • This page, built from our family tree workbook
  • Collect corrections and missing names from every branch
  • Agree who looks after each branch
Next

People & branch pages

  • A page for each person: photo, story, and dates for those who have passed
  • Branch pages, each managed by people from that branch
  • Family-only sign-in for private details
  • Event pages
  • Family news by SMS / WhatsApp for those who opt in
Later

Our own family address

  • One family domain for every branch (name still to be agreed), with each house able to have its own space, e.g. a Machakaire site within it
  • Optional family email addresses
  • Oral history: recordings of elders telling our story
  • Import and export with MyHeritage so nothing is lost

Have your say

Your answers decide what we build first. Each button opens WhatsApp with a message ready to send.

1. What should come first?

2. Who should see the full tree?

3. Who can look after your branch?

Suggest a branch contact
💬 Send any other thoughts

How we'll protect the family

  • Living people: names only on the open site. Dates, phone numbers and photos stay behind a family sign-in.
  • Children are private by default.
  • Personal notes in the workbook (for example, who someone's mother or father was) are kept off the open site.
  • Anyone can ask for their name or details to be changed or removed.
  • The site is hidden from search engines.

Also see our family site on MyHeritage (members only).

📱 Get family news by SMS (Zimbabwe numbers)

For family in Zimbabwe without data or WhatsApp. To stop at any time, tell Tatenda on WhatsApp.