The meaning of Ubuntu: South African Philosophy in the Nguni language
- Ryszard Skarbek
- Apr 24, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 29
Let's explore the African philosophy of unity, called Ubuntu. It may seem naive or incomprehensible. But after a moment's reflection, you can see its depth reaching the heart of human nature. Perhaps this is the way of thinking we most need right now. It would help to have a positive influence on the future of our children. And it would help not to destroy the resources of Mother Earth, which hosts us.
This article expands on the definition of Ubuntu and presents its various meanings in different contexts.
Children of South Africa: Parable of Ubuntu.
The anthropologist invited children from one of the African tribes to have some fun.
He placed the basket full of fruit next to one of the trees and told the children that whoever reached the basket first would be rewarded with all the sweet fruit. When he said they could start running, they held hands and ran together, then sat down and ate the fruit together.
When the anthropologist asked why they ran this way, and not in such a way that one of them got the whole basket, one of the children replied:
- Ubuntu. How can one of us be happy when the others are sad?
What is the meaning of Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is a Bantu word, common across the Nguni subfamily of Bantu languages (including Zulu and Xhosa, among many others).
In Xhosa culture, "Ubuntu" means "I am because we are" or "I am who I am because of who we all are". This concept is deeply rooted in the traditions of southern Africa and reflects the interconnectedness of all individuals within African cultures.
The ancient African word "ubuntu" is also a part of the Zulu phrase "Umuntungumuntungabantu". This literally means that a person is a person through other people. This idea is prevalent among sub-Saharan African communities and emphasizes the role of social connections in defining one's identity.
The key principle of the Ubuntu philosophy is the belief in the universal bond that connects all humanity and all people worldwide. This indigenous philosophy also underlines the equality of all people. This worldview is characteristic of all peoples and communities living in harmony with nature (including South Africans), where everyone deserves equal treatment and respect. This is also a collection of values and practices that people of Africa, or of African origin, view as making people authentic human beings.
This is the essence of humanity, which could also be translated as follows: "A person becomes a human being thanks to or through other people" - "motho ke motho ka batho babang". The idea of ubuntu serves as a guiding principle for many Africans, promoting community solidarity and mutual support in contrast to individualism often seen in Western societies.
Many people considered Nelson Mandela to be the "embodiment" or "personification" of the philosophy of Ubuntu. Here's how he explained what this concept means to him:
A traveler through a country would stop at a village and he didn't have to ask for food or for water. Once he stops, the people give him food and attend him. That is one aspect of Ubuntu, but it will have various aspects. Ubuntu does not mean that people should not address themselves. The question therefore is: Are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve?
For more of his thoughts, please see the video below:
South African philosophy of Ubuntu: Humanistic Response to Apartheid.
The other proponent of the concept of Ubuntu is Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In his book No Future Without Forgiveness, he describes a role model of this mindset as "open and available to others, affirming of others ..., as someone who has a proper self-assurance."
The best example of political philosophy that we may call African humanism was the post-apartheid Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, chaired by Tutu. This was the foundation of the transition to majority rule in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Interestingly enough, the name of this southern African philosophy differs by country, such as in Angola (kimuntu), Botswana (setho), Cameroon (bato), the Republic of the Congo (bantu languages), Kenya (utu / munto/ mondo), Malawi (umunthu), Mozambique (vumuntu), Namibia (omundu), Tanzania (utu/obuntu/bumuntu), Uganda (obuntu), Zambia (umunthu/ubuntu), Northern Nigeria (mutum), and Zimbabwe (Ubuntu, unhu or hunhu).
Nevertheless, in all cases, we find the same philosophical belief behind this term. The belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity.
This 9-minute film by the BBC also beautifully tells what we can learn from the humanist African philosophy:
To sum up, Ubuntu is an ancient African concept deeply rooted in many sub-Saharan African cultures. This humanist philosophy emphasizes the need for ubuntu, where we depend on one another for support and understanding.
Each of us holds responsibility not only for our surroundings and the environment in which we live, but also for those who are weaker and in need of help.
In the African context, the term points to the idea that 'I' is less important than 'We', highlighting our collective humanity to others. But Ubuntu is not just a word in South Africa. It encapsulates a broader theory of ubuntu that stimulates social work and social development. In fact, the official Ubuntu meaning even appears in South Africa’s Interim Constitution, created in 1993: “There is a need for understanding but not for vengeance, a need for reparation but not for retaliation, a need for ubuntu but not for victimization.”
This philosophy can be seen as a source of knowledge and a guiding principle for justice and compassion. In many ways, Ubuntu serves as a framework, encouraging individuals to opt for reconciliation and mutual support.
As we explore information about Ubuntu principles, it becomes clear that they may contribute to Western philosophy and a global agenda for social work. Promoting Ubuntu applications in social work may benefit everyone in society.
Ubuntu as a philosophy points to one aspect: an authentic individual human being is part of a larger and more significant relational, communal, societal, environmental, and spiritual world.
Various Ubuntu maxims.
A maxim is a statement or proverb that communicates a value, principle, or knowledge about life.
Some of the popular Ubuntu maxims include umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (Zulu language); munhu munhu nekuda kwevanhu (Shona language), motho ke motho ka batho (Tswana language); umoja ni nguvu (Kiswahili language), ndi nii tondu wanyu (Kikuyu language); and an dhano nikeche wantie (Luo language).
These maxims all mean becoming human through others.
Another maxim is ndiri nekuti tiri (Shona), meaning ‘I am because we are, and “since” we are, therefore I am’.
Another maxim says a child belongs to the whole village (in the Chewa language).
Kali kokha nkanyama, tili awiri ntiwanthu is a Chewa maxim in Malawi, meaning ‘one person is like an “animal”, two are a community’.
Another phrase from the same language is ‘"wana wa mnzako ngwako yemwe, ukachenjera manja udya naye," which means "your neighbor’s “child is your own.’
The Ethiopian proverb "der biyaber anbesa yasir" means that when the webs of a spider join, they can trap a lion. This indicates the culture of collectivism and the importance of working together to solve problems.
"Hamsa lomy le ande sew shekmu new, le hamsa sew gin getu new" is another golden thought which translates as "fifty lemons are a load carried by one person, but for fifty people they are perfume". This means when people live and work together, things will be easier.
"Zemed biredada chigarim aygoda" translates as ‘if relatives help each other, what harm can reach them?’
"Human’s 'medicine' is human" is the English translation of the Ethiopian proverb "le sew medhanitu sew new". And "Mambo vanhu" is a Shona maxim that expects leaders to be people-centered.
References.
Gade, Christian B. N. "What is Ubuntu? Different Interpretations among South Africans of African Descent." South African Journal Of Philosophy 31.3 (August 2012), 484–503.
Metz, T. (2016). Recent philosophical approaches to social protection: From capability to Ubuntu. Global social policy, 16(2), 132–150.
Metz, T. (2017). South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the light of Ubuntu: A comprehensive appraisal. In M. Swart & K. van Marle (Eds.), The limits of transition: The South African truth and reconciliation commission 20 years on. Brill.
p.s.
Ubuntu became a part of the modern technology world. The Linux operating system uses "Ubuntu" solution to distribute its software. The Linux operating system is an "open source" type, meaning that everyone can use it for free. It's a concept of sharing that is uncommon in the competitive world of computer software, but is inspired by the traditional thought of Southern Africa.
See also:
Loyalty at work - Corporate life
Self-esteem Coaching - How much are YOU worth?
Life Values Coaching: Do you know the value of your time?
Life Coaching: I'm busy, therefore I am
How to discover your personal values - free PDF e-book
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