2024 TAF Ubuntu Festival
Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu word that translates to “humanity.” It reflects the philosophy of “I am because we are,” which highlights the interconnectedness of all people. Ubuntu is deeply embedded in African culture and promotes values such as empathy, communal responsibility, and the understanding that individual well-being is intertwined with the collective well-being of others. It underscores the belief that our humanity is defined through our relationships and the contributions we make to society as a whole.
- TAF Central Communications
- communications@theafricanfederation.org
Ubuntu resonates across Africa, woven deeply into our diverse cultures, languages and values. It embodies unity, compassion and collective progress, connecting us as individuals and as communities. These words - expressed in myriad African languages - serve as a foundation, reminding us that our strength lies in togetherness, respect and shared purpose. Below are definitions of Ubuntu in different African Voices:
Amharic: Ethiopian, Egyptian and Eritrean Voices
ኡቡንቱ የሚለው ቃል ስረ-ቃሉ ከባንቱ ቋንቋ የተገኘ ሲሆን “ሰብአዊነት” ወይም “ሰውነት” በማለት ሊተረጎም ይችላል። ኡቡንቱ እርስ በርስ የመተሳሰርን ሃሳብ ያቀፈ ቃል ሲሆን ብዙ ጊዜ "እኛ ስለኖርን እኔ አለሁ" ወይም "ያለ ብዙኃን መኖር ግለሰብ አይኖርም" የሚል ሀሳብን ሊገልጽም ይችላል። እንዲሁም "ሰው ለሰው ወይም ሰውነት ለሌሎች" ተብሎም ሊተረጎምም ይችላል። ኡቡንቱ እንደ ማጋራት እና በጎ የማኅበራዊ መስተጋብር መኖር የመሳሰሉ አዎንታዊ ምግባሮችን የሚያጎላ አፍሪካዊ ጽንሰ-ሀሳብ ነው።
Arabic: Algerian, Sudanese, Tunisian Voices
أوبونتو هو مفهوم أفريقي يُعبر عن فلسفة تتعلق بالإنسانية والتواصل الاجتماعي. يُشير هذا المصطلح إلى فكرة أن الفرد هو جزء من مجتمع أكبر، وأنه يجب على الأفراد دعم بعضهم البعض والتعاون من أجل الصالح العام. تُعتبر مبادئ مثل التعاطف، الاحترام، والانتماء جزءًا أساسيًا من فلسفة أوبونتو، حيث تقول العبارة الشهيرة: "أنا بسبب ما نحن عليه" (أنا إنسان لأنني إنسان). تعزز أوبونتو العلاقات الإنسانية وتعبر عن ضرورة تحقيق التنمية والتقدم من خلال التضامن والعمل الجماعي
Berber: Moroccan and Algerian Voices
ⵉⵏⵏⵓⵖ d aɣbalu n tɣurmt i yudjulen, yebɣa ad ikfay nniḍen akked tawdurt ɣef lḥafid
Lingala: Congolese and Angolans Voices
Kofanda esika moko
Ndebele: South African and Zimbabwean Voices
Ubuntu buyinsika yemiphakathi yaseAfrika. Busekelwe enkolweni yobunikazi obuhlanganelweyo
Portuguese: Mozambican Voices
Ubuntu é uma filosofia africana que destaca a interconexão entre as pessoas e a importância da comunidade, traduzindo-se na ideia de "eu sou porque nós somos". Essa filosofia promove valores como solidariedade, empatia e responsabilidade mútua, incentivando a cooperação para o bem-estar coletivo e a construção de sociedades mais justas e inclusivas
Setswana: Batswana Voices
SETHO:- mokgwa o motho a itsholang ka one, o eletsega a tshela Le batho botlhe ebile bontsi bo kopisa mo gone boitsholo jo, me bontsi jo ha bo kopana ka tirisano ya tlhompho, therisano, lorato le kagiso, se e nna botho /(Ubuntu) mo morafeng le sechaba sotlhe ka kakaretso.
Shona: Zimbabwean Voices
Hunhu - kufambidzana nevanhu, kuremekedza, uye kubatsira pamwe chete semunhu pamwe nemumwe
Somali: Somalian Voices
Xeer, baa lagu dhaqmaa , xeer wuxuu u dhigmaa Ubuntu. Xeerku wuxuu dhigayaa in jiritaanka qofku ku xidhan yahay jiritaanka deegaankiisa. Qofka degaankiisa ayaa ilaaliya,wax la wadaaga haduu badhaaho iyo haduu fakhri yahayba
Swahili (Kiswahili): Kenyan, Ugandan & Tanzanian Voices
Ubuntu Ni falsafa ya Kiafrika yenye maana Utu. Falsafa hii imetokana Na Mila Na Tamaduni za Kiafrika ambazo zimejengwa Juu ya maslahi ya jamii zaidi ya maslahi ya mtu binafsi. "Mtu si mtu bila watu" Ushirikiano ni njia bora ya kuishi kama jamii
Tsonga: Mozambican and South Africa Voices
Vupfumeri byo ringana ku hlanganisa vanhu hikwavo
Wolof: Senegalese and Gambian Voices
Ubuntu am na lu tollu ci nguur gi, ci jàmm ak jàmmu ñu jàmm, te mooy “naa nuy jàmm”, bu ñu dund, mu nuy wér, te mu nuy jàmm. Nii, jàmm bi nuy jàmm rekk, mooy jàmm ci mboolo mi. Ubuntu mooy saafara bu dund ak jàmm, gëm sa nguur ak sa xel, it jàmm nuy gëstu ñu ko
Xhosa: South African Voices
Ukholo lwembandakanya wokusharela okubandakanya bonke abantu basemhlabeni
1. Space on X: Ubuntu and TAF
Event Format: A virtual town hall discussion on X, scheduled for 2 November 2024. Themed around Ubuntu, this event will feature speakers from various TAF chapters who will explore how Ubuntu can guide solutions to Africa’s pressing issues. The practice of Ubuntu in local communities, Personal experiences of Ubuntu in everyday life, Ubuntu’s potential to address contemporary social, political, and economic challenges.
Topics of Discussion:
- The historical roots of Ubuntu and its significance in shaping African societies.
- The application of Ubuntu in modern governance and community-based social structures.
- Ubuntu’s role in promoting peace, unity, and sustainable development across Africa.
- Expected Outcome: Participants will gain a deep understanding of Ubuntu and its practical implications for African governance, unity, and development.
2. Zoom Events: TAF Country Chapter-led Events
Chapters will hold similar internal events throughout the month of November, on the 9th, 16th, & 23rd with Uganda, Botswana and Nigeria respectively taking the lead, gearing up to the grand climax on the 29th of November 2024.
3. Zoom Event: TAF Narrative
Happening on the 29th of November 2024 this will be a virtual poetry event where TAF members recite poems inspired by the theme of Ubuntu and they will be tasked to give a brief explanation of the presentation. Call for Submissions for the poems starts on 14th October 2024. Africans from various spheres on the globe will submit poems that express their cultural perspectives and interpretations of Ubuntu.
4. Writing Campaign throughout the month of November
TAF members will be invited to write essays and articles exploring Ubuntu from their local contexts. Covering The practice of Ubuntu in local communities, Personal experiences of Ubuntu in everyday life, Ubuntu’s potential to address contemporary social, political, and economic challenges. These essays will be featured on TAF’s website, newsletters and social media channels throughout the month of November
Call for Submissions: Ubuntu Creative Competition 2024
Embrace the Spirit of Ubuntu: Share Your Creativity!
The African Federation’s Narrative Focus Unit invites you to participate in the Ubuntu Creative Competition 2024. This is an opportunity to express your creativity and showcase how the philosophy of Ubuntu can address contemporary social, political, and economic challenges within Africa.
We are accepting submissions in the following formats, each relating to one of TAF’s five focus units:
- Economy
- Environment
- Governance
- Narrative
- Wellness
You may submit:
- Essays (800–1200 words)
- Poems (Maximum 40 lines)
- Visual Arts (Photography, paintings, graphic designs and videos with a 100–150 word description)
Submission Guidelines:
Theme: Your work should reflect the Ubuntu philosophy and its potential to impact the chosen focus unit
Languages: Submissions are welcome in all African languages to celebrate our linguistic diversity
Submission Period: 16 October 2024 – 15 November 2024
How to Submit: Share your work via our email at communications@theafricanfederation.org
Prizes include certificates of recognition, publication opportunities on The African Federation’s website and affiliated platforms. Winners will be announced during the final Ubuntu event on 30 November 2024.
Judging Process:
Your work will be evaluated by a diverse panel comprising representatives from TAF’s Focus Units leadership teams, Central Communications leadership, and Chapter leaderships. We ensure a fair and unbiased selection through a blind review process.
Use of Submissions:
All submitted works may be featured during Ubuntu month at various Chapter events, giving you an opportunity to have your voice heard across the continent.
Get Involved:
Lookout for Ubuntu events by TAF throughout the month of November
Stay Connected: Follow @TAFChapters on all social media platforms for updates and reminders
This is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of our shared humanity and the strength of African unity. Let your creativity shine and contribute to a movement that seeks to uplift and empower.
For More Information:
Contact us at tafnarrative@theafricanfederation.org
We look forward to your inspiring submissions!