UBUNTU
PHILOSOPHY
UBUNTU
(Ancient African philosophy)
"Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu"
A person is a person
through other people
"I am because we are",
"humanity towards others"
"The belief in
a universal bond
of sharing that
connects all humanity"
UBUNTU PHILOSOPHY
WHAT IS UBUNTU?
UBUNTU AND THE
FOUR AGREEMENTS
WHAT DOES UBUNTU
REALLY MEAN?
UBUNTU LINKS
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SECTION 1
UBUNTU
PHILOSOPHY
Ubuntu is an African word that means so much. Ubuntu is more than just
a philosophy. Ubuntu is a way of life and it simply translates "I am
because we are". In other words, a person is a person through other
people.
Although the word "Ubuntu" comes from southern Africa, the concept of
Ubuntu is universal with several names and slight variations.
African philosophy:
Ubuntu a way of life
https://www.africaw.com/african-philosophy-ubuntu-a-way-of-life
Ubuntu
(philosophy)
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Ubuntu_(philosophy)
African
Ethics
https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/african-ethics/
The
Ubuntu
Project
https://www.ubuntuproject.africa/
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Ubuntu
philosophy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_philosophy
African Traditional Religion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Traditional_Religion
Bantu peoples
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bantu_peoples
Nguni languages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nguni_languages
Africanization
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africanization
Decolonisation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decolonisation
Ethic of reciprocity
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethic_of_reciprocity
Harambee
(Kenyan/Swahili concept)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harambee
Humanity (virtue)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanity_(virtue)
Negotiations to end
apartheid in South Africa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negotiations_to_end_apartheid_in_South_Africa
Pan-Africanism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-Africanism
Ubuntu theology
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_theology
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Hunhu/Ubuntu in the
Traditional Thought
of Southern Africa
https://iep.utm.edu/hunhu/
I Am,
We Are
(IAWA)
https://www.iamweareyouth.org/
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SECTION 2
WHAT
IS
UBUNTU?
In the Ubuntu tribe of South Africa, when someone does something
wrong, they take the person to the center of the village. There
the tribe surrounds the individual for two days, while members
of the tribe speak all of the good that s/he has done in their
lifetime. The tribe believes each person is good, yet sometimes
people make mistakes, which are actually cries for help. They
unite in this ritual to encourage the person to reconnect with
his/her true nature. The belief is that unity and affirmation
are more powerful to change behavior than shaming or punishment.
Behavioral science is now substantiating the effectiveness of
this approach.
Here are the basic
principles of Ubuntu:
Practice compassion, forgiveness, mercy, pardon, reconciliation,
and grace.
Value the life of every human being.
Recognize that every individual’s behavior affects every other
individual, because we are all united.
Place a high premium on dignity, humaneness, and respect.
Shift confrontation to mediation.
Maintain positive attitudes and shared concerns.
Establish harmony and dignity while maintaining fair restitution,
rather than retributive justice.
Favor reconciliation over estrangement.
Promote mutual understanding and learning rather than shaming and
punishing.
Use face-to-face facilitation for understanding and resolution,
rather than debate or victory won by the most powerful.
Sustain civil communication and conduct.
At Nelson Mandela’s memorial, President Barack Obama spoke about Ubuntu,
saying, “There is a word in South Africa – Ubuntu – a word that captures
Mandela’s greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together
in ways that are invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity;
that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for
those around us.
We can never know how much of this sense was innate in him, or how much was
shaped in a dark and solitary cell. But we remember the gestures, large and
small . . . that revealed the depth of his empathy and his understanding.
He not only embodied Ubuntu, he taught millions to find that truth within
themselves.”
Most communities and workplaces have not been taught to practice Ubuntu.
What might change in our lives, however, if you and I began to practice
Ubuntu more consciously and deliberately on a daily basis?
What is Ubuntu?
https://susiehayesnow.com/ubuntu/
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What
is
Ubuntu
http://www.humanitysteamsa.org/ubuntu/#:~:text=uBuntu%20is%20generally%20seen%20to%20be%20pointing%20to,be%20considerate%20of%20ancient%20African%20Spirituality%20and%20Kosmology.
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SECTION 3
UBUNTU
AND THE
FOUR
AGREEMENTS
Be impeccable with your Word
Speak with intergrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the
word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.
Use the power of your Word in the direction of Truth and Love.
Don’t take anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a
projection of their own reality,their own dreams. When you are
immune to their opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the
victim of needless suffering.
Don’t make Assumptions
Find the Courage to ask questions and to express what you really want.
Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings,
sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can competely
transform your life.
Always do your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different
when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply
do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.
Spirit
of
Ubuntu
http://www.mmatheomotsisi.com/2017/02/22/spirit-of-ubuntu-2/
Ubuntu
Ethics
http://www.ubuntuethics.com/
Understanding the
Essence of Ubuntu
The African Philosophy
https://historyplex.com/ubuntu-african-philosophy
What Is the
Spirit of Ubuntu?
How Can We Have
It in Our Lives?
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/ubuntu-south-africa-together-nelson-mandela/
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SECTION 4
WHAT DOES
UBUNTU
REALLY MEAN?
Ubuntu is just part of the Zulu phrase "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu",
which literally means that a person is a person through other people.
Ubuntu has its roots in humanist African philosophy, where the idea
of community is one of the building blocks of society. Ubuntu is that
nebulous concept of common humanity, oneness: humanity, you and
me both.
What does ubuntu really mean?
https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2006/sep/29/features11.g2
Get the Definition of
Ubuntu, a Nguni Word
with Several Meanings
https://www.thoughtco.com/the-meaning-of-ubuntu-43307
Proverbs and Maxims
"Ubuntu"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NarrF6Xyppc
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SECTION 5
UBUNTU
LINKS
The African Ethic of Ubuntu
https://1000wordphilosophy.com/2019/09/08/the-african-ethic-of-ubuntu/
THE AFRICAN
UBUNTU PHILOSOPHY
https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/28706/04chapter4.pdf?sequence=5
All you need is ubuntu
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/5388182.stm
Embracing the
Spirit of Ubuntu
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ubuntu_b_1803189
'I Am Because We Are':
The African Philosophy
of Ubuntu
https://www.ttbook.org/interview/i-am-because-we-are-african-philosophy-ubuntu
I am because we are
Dozie Okeleke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBUy7XmbB7M
Mandela’s Legacy:
Teaching Ubuntu
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mandelas-legacy-teaching-_b_4398312
THE PHILOSOPHY OF
UBUNTU IN EDUCATION
https://www.academia.edu/37215847/THE_PHILOSOPHY_OF_UBUNTU_IN_EDUCATION
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The Spirit of Ubuntu
http://www.jackyyenga.com/the-spirit-of-ubuntu/
Ubuntu
https://ourpangea.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/ubuntu-i-am-who-i-am-because-of-who-we-all-are/
Ubuntu: An African
Assessment of the
Religious Other
http://www.bu.edu/wcp/Papers/Afri/AfriLouw.htm
Ubuntu: Applying African
Philosophy in Building
Community
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ubuntu-applying-african-p_b_1243904
Ubuntu Ethics
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-319-05544-2_428-1
Umbutu: I Am
Because We Are
https://www.bodysacred.com/umbutu-i-am-because-we-are/
Ubuntu – Interdependence
https://www.intellobics.com/2012/09/24/ubuntu-interdependence/
Ubuntuism
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02500160802144520
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Ubuntu Meaning
Doc Rivers' Celtics
https://sleddogdevelopment.com/blogposts/020-ubuntu-meaning-doc-rivers
Ubuntu Pathways
https://ubuntupathways.org/
Ubuntu Planet
http://www.ubuntuplanet.org/
Ubuntu Political party
South Africa
http://www.ubuntuparty.org.za/
Ubuntu in Western Society
http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/mandelarhodesscholars/2013/04/03/ubuntu-in-western-society/
Understanding the Meaning
of Ubuntu: A Proudly South
African Philosophy
https://theculturetrip.com/africa/south-africa/articles/understanding-the-meaning-of-ubuntu-a-proudly-south-african-philosophy/
What You Need To
Know About Ubuntu
The Ancient African
Philosophy Of Nation Building
https://www.panafricanalliance.com/african-philosophy-ubuntu/
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400
YEARS OF
INEQUALITY
http://www.400yearsofinequality.org/
Celebrating
African American
Culture & History
Black History Month
http://guides.hmcpl.org/c.php?g=790427&p=5657381
Racial Equity
Resource Guide
http://www.racialequityresourceguide.org/organizations/organizations/sectionFilter/Racial%20Healing
Understanding
Prejudice
https://secure.understandingprejudice.org/
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Equal Justice
Initiative
https://eji.org/
The Collective
Black People Movement
(CBPM)
http://cbpm.org/index.html
TRIP DOWN
MEMORY LANE
https://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylane.blogspot.com/
A Gathering
of Readers
https://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~gathread/index.html
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Malawi
Project
http://www.malawiproject.org/
Afro Kids
http://www.afrokids.com/
THE FREEMAN
INSTITUTE
http://www.freemaninstitute.com/
Africa
Resource
http://www.africaresource.com/
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Real History
World Wide
http://www.realhistoryww.com/
Quatr.us
http://quatr.us/
African-American
Resources
http://www.ushistory.org/more/african-american.htm
African American
Studies Library
Research Guide
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~savega/aframer.htm
African Music
Encyclopedia
http://africanmusic.org/
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AFROPEDEA
http://www.afropedia.org
World Afropedia
http://worldafropedia.com/afropedia/Main_Page
African
Indigenous Science
and Knowledge Systems
http://www.africahistory.net/
Natives Wiki
http://tribalspedia.wikia.com/wiki/Natives_Wiki
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Islamic Wiki
http://islam.wikia.com/
Sexism
http://www.understandingprejudice.org/
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