1 Ngano: A Platform for the Dissemination of Shona unhu/ubuntu values 1 By Jacob Mapara jacob.mapara@gmail.com , jacomapara@yahoo.co.uk , jmapara@gzu.ac.zw Department of African Languages and Literature Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, ZIMBABWE Introduction This chapter seeks to highlight the importance of ngano (folktales) as a major vehicle for the impartation of unhu/ubuntu (humanness or being human) values as perceived and practised by the Shona of Zimbabwe. While it is true that ngano were told for both education and entertainment, it is equally important to note that even though education appears to be a key element; the leisure aspect is equally significant because it is the entertainment value that entrenches the educational issues that would have been imparted and that keeps the moral values so given embedded in the listeners’ subconscious for the rest of their lives. It is therefore important to embrace both education and entertainment as two equal sides of the same coin. This chapter is therefore going to draw attention to some of the foremost themes that are given in some Shona folktales that the author considers to be major aspects of unhu as the Shona would have wanted, and some if not most of them would still want to be practiced today. But before this important intangible cultural heritage element is discussed, it is essential that the theory of the folktale, ngano and unhu/ubuntu are discussed. 1 This article is published in the book entitled Ubuntu/Unhu Philosophy: A Brief Shona Perspective edited by Jacob Mapara and Benjamin Mudzanire, and published by Bhabhu Books: Harare 2013 Chapter Six pages 99-124.