Ubuntu

One evening, just recently, we had a couple over for dinner.  They were from Burundi, Africa.  As the evening progressed, we talked about our going to Africa and they began discussing something very important for us to hear — “Ubuntu.”  We felt to share it with you as we continue to awaken to it’s full meaning in our own lives.  This information was collected mostly from a communication by Jen Boudreau in “Words to Live By.”

A person with Ubuntu is welcoming, hospitable, warm and generous, willing to share. Such people are open and available to others, willing to be vulnerable, affirming of others, do not feel threatened that others are able and good, for they have a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that they belong in a greater whole. They know that they are diminished when others are humiliated, diminished when others are oppressed, diminished when others are treated as if they were less than who they are. The quality of Ubuntu gives people resilience, enabling them to survive and emerge still human despite all efforts to dehumanize them.”

Desmond Tuttu elaborates further on this ...

“One of the sayings in our country is Ubuntu – the essence of being human. Ubuntu speaks particularly about the fact that you can’t exist as a human being in isolation. It speaks about our interconnectedness. You can’t be human all by yourself, and when you have this quality – Ubuntu – you are known for your generosity. We think of ourselves far too frequently as just individuals, separated from one another, whereas you are connected and what you do affects the whole World. When you do well, it spreads out; it is for the whole of humanity.” 

So, now we know why we are going to Africa.  We have a lot to learn from these beautiful people.

When we shared this with Mom just recently she said, “Wouldn’t it be lovely if the whole world had “Ubuntu.”  Yes, Mom, it would.