Reclaiming Mental Wellness through Ubuntu
Writing about Ubuntu, especially in a language that embodies individualism, somehow does not feel right. Ubuntu is better lived, experienced, and embraced than impressively articulated.
More than just an indigenous African philosophy, Ubuntu is a state of being that resides in the subconscious. It is a knowing, an effortless conviction, a deep-seated feeling that leads to the uncritical understanding of one’s humanity as inextricably linked to the humanity of others.
In today’s world, where mental health challenges are increasingly affecting more people, recentering life around the ideals of Ubuntu should be considered a necessity for the sense of relevance, belonging, and meaning it fosters in individuals.
Understanding the African Ubuntu Philosophy
Ubuntu, loosely translated from its Xhosa origins, means “I am because we are.” Ubuntu is about seeing others as extensions of one’s self and as inherently complete.
It teaches that an individual’s self-worth and social appreciation are not linked to degrees, career, bank account, physical appearance, or social status. Every human being is important and valuable. The need for comparison or competition does not arise. People find fulfillment not in externally defined achievements but in their existence as part of a community. They feel accepted, validated, and respected not because of what they have, but simply for being human. In turn, they accept, validate, and respect others for the same reason.
Community, which is central to the meaning of Ubuntu, is rooted in cooperation toward shared goals. If a child chooses to study medicine, for instance, it is not a source of boastful pride for the child or their parents. Rather, the decision is made from a humble recognition of a community need the child feels equipped to address.
Ubuntu rejects the constant pressure to chase the next achievement as a source of validation, whether in one’s own eyes or in the eyes of others. This relentless pursuit is a major contributor to mental health stress, especially among young people. Within the Ubuntu worldview, young people are not raised to be overly competitive or to believe that their lives only matter when they achieve material success or influence. From birth, they are raised to understand that they are enough and complete simply for being human. They are also taught that others are equally complete and valuable for the same reason.
Ubuntu Philosophy: An Antidote to Loneliness and Isolation
Ubuntu philosophy strengthens nuclear, extended, and communal bonds in ways that protect against the isolation so common in the Western world and in urban centers globally. Under Ubuntu, there is no need to switch between public and private personas. There is no fear of judgment or criticism. Favors are given and requested without hesitation. Interdependence is central to Ubuntu. A person who isolates themselves by refusing help is seen not as strong and independent but as emotionally distant or socially disconnected.
Ubuntu recognizes human rights within the broader context of community rights. Community needs, values, and perspectives matter as much as individual ones. Elderly people are loved for their humanity and valued for their wisdom, so questions of usefulness or exclusion do not arise. No human being exists to be used. Life, under Ubuntu, is about connection and relationship.
In a world that is becoming increasingly competitive and isolationist, recentering life around the Ubuntu philosophy is not merely an option but is an urgent necessity that deserves deeper exploration.