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.

 Ubuntu in African Voices

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 ከባንቱ ቋንቋ የመጣ ሲሆን “ሰብአዊነት” ወይም “ሰውነት” ማለት ነው። በ“እኔ ስለእኛ ነኝ” የሚገለጽ ይህ ሀሳብ የመጋራትና የማኅበራዊ መስተጋብር አፍሪካዊ እሴቶችን ይወክላል።

Arabic: Algerian, Sudanese, Tunisian Voices
أوبونتو مفهوم أفريقي يجسد الإنسانية والتضامن، يقوم على فكرة "أنا لأننا نحن"، ويعزز التعاون، الاحترام، والانتماء من أجل الصالح العام والتنمية المشتركة.

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 expressa “eu sou porque nós somos”, promovendo solidariedade, empatia e cooperação para o bem-estar coletivo e sociedades mais justas

Setswana: Batswana Voices
SETHO ke mokgwa wa bophelo o bontshang tlotlo, lorato, kagiso le tirisano, o kopanyang morafe le sechaba ka kakaretso mo mekgweng ya botho (Ubuntu)

Shona: Zimbabwean Voices
Hunhu - kufambidzana nevanhu, kuremekedza, uye kubatsira pamwe chete semunhu pamwe nemumwe

Somali: Somalian Voices
Xeer waa nidaam dhaqan oo la mid ah Ubuntu, oo sheegaya in jiritaanka qofku ku xiran yahay deegaankiisa, laguna wadaago nolosha iyo kheyraadka hadba sida ay xaaladdu tahay

Swahili (Kiswahili): Kenyan, Ugandan & Tanzanian Voices
Ubuntu ni falsafa ya Kiafrika inayosisitiza utu, mshikamano na maslahi ya jamii kuliko ya mtu binafsi, ikieleza kuwa "mtu si mtu bila watu"

Wolof: Senegalese and Gambian Voices
Ubuntu am na loolu ci jàmm ak mboolo, te mooy “naa nuy jàmm”, ku jàmm mooy ku wér. Mooy saafara bu dund, nguur ak xel ci mboolo

Xhosa: South African Voices
Ukholo lwembandakanya wokusharela okubandakanya bonke abantu basemhlabeni

Yoruba: Nigerian Voices
Èmi ni nítorí àwa. Èdá ènìyàn kì í jẹ́ ká sọ pé a yé láì jẹ́ apá ìjọba ènìyàn mìíràn

Oromo: Ethiopian and Kenyan Voices
Ani waan jirruuf nan jira. Namni tokko akkuma qofa jiraachuu hin dandeenye, lubbuu isaa hawaasa keessa qofa ni argata

Berber: Moroccan, Algerian, Libyan, Tunisian and Egyptian Voices
Ani waan jirruuf nan jira. Namni tokko akkuma qofa jiraachuu hin dandeenye, lubbuu isaa hawaasa keessa qofa ni argata

Igbo: Cameroonian, Equatorial Guinean, Gabonese Voices
Onye bụ mmadụ n’ihi mmadụ ibe ya

Ubuntu is at the center of what we do at The African Federation’s work. It's a crucial philosophy that reminds us that “I am because we are.” Each year, we celebrate Ubuntu across Africa and the diaspora, reflecting on how solidarity, humanity and collective progress continue to shape our journey toward a vibrant, united and prosperous Africa. Explore past and ongoing Ubuntu celebrations below and see how communities have come together to live out this African value in action.


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