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Afia in the Land of Wonders: Book Review

Afia in the Land of Wonders is a middle grade fantasy book written and illustrated by Mia Araujo. It is inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and it was published this year, 2025. The story is about Afia, a sixteen-year-old girl who is dissatisfied with her life at home, a place called Dafra. Her mother and the rest of her family expect her to go through her ewende, which is her coming of age ceremony, and continue their crystal selling business. However, she yearns to explore the world, and wants more for her life. So when a young man named Bakame offers her an escape, she takes her chance and finds herself in the magical land of Ijábù. However, after being warned by a ghost boy named Ojike, she quickly discovers that not everything is as it seems, and she must escape this so-called “land of wonders.” The Non-Spoiler Review One thing I like about this book are the illustrations. Most of the images are fully colored and take up a page or two, while others are smaller pencil sketches. All o...

60 Shona Character Names



Would you like to find some Shona names for your characters? Here is a list of positive Shona names that you can try.


1. Akashinga: he/she is determined

2. Acharwisa: he/she will fight on

3. Achatonga: he/she will rule

4. Anotonga: he/she rules

5. Atonga: he/she has ruled

6. Akudzwa: he/she has been praised (or honored)

7. Akudzwe: he/she be praised

8. Anashe: he/she is with the lord

9. Anembiri: he/she is famous

10. Asarudzwa: he/she has been chosen

11. Asarudza: he/she has chosen

12. Atida: he/she loved us

13. Anotida: he/she loves us


14. Batsira: provide help/ assist

15. Batanayi: unite/ work together

16. Batidza: ignite/ assist

17. Budirirayi: be successful/ succeed

18. Budiriro: success


19. Chakazorwa: the anointed one

20. Chazorwa: it has been anointed

21. Chamukute: is is golden

22. Chiwanza: increase


23. Dzarumbidzwa: they have been praised

24. Dzawanda: they have increased

25. Dzinembiri: they have fame/ two


26. Fariranayi: be happy together

27. Fadzayi: please/ bring pleasure

28. Farisayi: be overjoyed/ greet.


29. Gonesa: be excellent at it

30. Gwinyayi: be strong

31. Gutsaruzhinji: satisfy many (with food)


32. Hatitye: we are not afraid

33. Hanya: care/ concern


34. Ishemunyoro: a sympathetic or soft chief

35. Isheunesu: the lord is with us


36. Kakunda: it has overcome

37. Kanengoni: it has mercy

38. Kanotonga: the one that rules

39. Kanokudzwa: it is praised/ respected

40. Kanotida: it loves us


41. Munovimbika: you can be trusted/ relied upon

42. Mupawose: the one who gives to all

43. Mupfumi: rich/ wealthy person

44. Murapi: the healer


45. Regerera: forgive

46. Rombo: luck

47. Runako: beauty


48. Sahwira: best friend

49. Shamiso: miracle

50. Shamisa: amaze


51. Tadiwa: we are loved

52. Tafara: we are happy

53. Takwirira: we are getting better/ wealthy

54. Tatenda: we thank you


55. Umbowo: wise counsel


56. Vavarira: perservere

57. Vheneka: shed light on


58. Wakanaka: you are beautiful/ good looking


59. Yemurayi: admire


60. Zishasha: the champion


If you want more Shona names, you can find them in the Shona-English Name Dictionary by Eliah Kapezi (which is the book I used for this list), or you can check out other websites as well.


Works Cited

Kapezi, Eliah. Shona-English Name Dictionary. Book Vine Press, 2022. Hoopla Digital,https://www.hoopladigital.com/ebook/shona-english-name-dictionary-eliah-chakanetsa-kapezi/15101542.

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