Definition, synonyms and related words
A South African ideology focusing on people's allegiances and relations with each other.
"The community embraced ubuntu, a philosophy that emphasizes our shared humanity and interconnected relationships with one another."
In plain English: Ubuntu is an African philosophy that means your humanity depends on how you treat other people.
"The community showed true ubuntu by helping every family during the flood without expecting anything in return."
Usage: The term is often misused to describe general kindness or community spirit, but it specifically refers to the distinct Southern African philosophy of interconnectedness. Avoid using it as a synonym for generic altruism unless discussing its cultural origins in South Africa.
The word ubuntu comes from the Zulu language, where it means humanity. It was adopted into English to describe a philosophy emphasizing human connection and community.