Twenty-five years after the 1994 human disaster, I arrived at the Kigali Genocide Memorial on a cold and rainy day. The first image that caught my eye was a circular icon with a crimson crisscrossed heart inside.
Coming to Rwanda, I was struck by how green and clean this small nation is, especially considering that just two decades ago it endured a genocide that took nearly a million lives in three months. Reflecting on my visit, I realized that my initial impressions were heavily influenced by confirmation bias—the tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information that aligns with our preexisting beliefs and opinions. A few weeks of staying in the "Land of a Thousand Hills" were enough for me to grasp what has contributed to the revival of this devastated landlocked country: the spirit of Ubumuntu – the symbol I encountered at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Rwanda became the first country to ban plastic bags in 2008 and is now considered one of the cleanest countries in the world. Since 1998, it has been a tradition for Rwandans across both rural and urban areas to participate in Umuganda, a nationwide day of community service held on the last Saturday of each month. The painful legacy of its history drives the people to find ways to heal and rebuild, using collective efforts like these to mend the wounds of the past.
Ubuntu is known by various names across different African regions, such as Ubumuntu in Rwanda and Utu in Tanzania and Kenya. Despite these variations, the spirit of community is deeply ingrained in daily life. In Tanzania, where I spent my youthful years, the essence of Ubuntu is reflected in the policy of Ujamaa (meaning "familyhood" or "socialism"), introduced by President Julius Nyerere. Ujamaa helped unify 126 ethnic groups through the widespread use of Swahili as a common language. From a young age, Tanzanian children are taught to “be proud to be Tanzanians and children of Mother Africa,” fostering national unity over tribal divisions.
Ubuntu, a term originating from a Bantu phrase in South Africa, can be understood as a concept of humanity and interconnectedness, often expressed as “I am because we are” or “I in you and you in me.” While the idea of Ubuntu appeared in the 19th century, it gained widespread recognition in the 1960s during the national liberation movements across sub-Saharan Africa, where it came to symbolize African humanism. Under Nelson Mandela's leadership, after the end of the Apartheid regime in South Africa in 1994, the spirit of Ubuntu began to spread beyond the continent.
This diffusion was furthered by Bishop Desmond Tutu, who, having received the Nobel Peace Prize, played a key role in promoting Ubuntu's principles internationally. Instead of seeking revenge, Mandela advocated for peaceful coexistence and reconciliation, choosing forgiveness over hatred. His commitment to Ubuntu was reflected in the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which sought to heal the nation's deep divisions by prioritizing forgiveness and understanding rather than retribution.
As someone from an Asian background, where close family and community ties are deeply valued, I was still often in awe when I arrived on the African continent. The harsh realities of life, the shared history of hardship and oppression under colonialism and slavery, and the misrepresentation by international media have all contributed to a heightened sense of solidarity and pride among the people of African countries. The philosophy of Ubuntu, humanity and togetherness, permeates every aspect of life here.
Ubuntu is deeply ingrained in various African traditions and practices. In early 2020, the viral "coffin dance" from Ghana exemplified how African funerals celebrate death as the beginning of a new journey, reinforcing connections between the living and the deceased. This perspective aligns with the belief that the soul of the departed protects the living, illustrating Ubuntu's enduring presence. Similarly, in Madagascar, the Famadihana burial ritual, where descendants dance with the bodies of their ancestors, mirrors the Toraja people’s "living with the dead" tradition from Indonesia. This celebration of life and death highlights the importance of spiritual beliefs, music, and communal support.
In the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, the Gacaca courts were established as a community-based justice system embodying Ubuntu by prioritizing reconciliation over punishment. Furthermore, the West African principle that "it takes a village to raise a child" and the Gadaa system of the Oromo people in Ethiopia, which focuses on conflict resolution through dialogue and reconciliation, are living examples of Ubuntu’s application. Across Africa, Ubuntu's essence continues to guide and support communities through both daily challenges and profound historical events.
The richness of culture and nature on the African continent has provided me with many invaluable experiences. For instance, I learned that elephants hold behaviours akin to funeral ceremonies, reflecting their deep emotional bonds. In arid regions, an Acacia bush, though solitary in the savanna, has a remarkable defense mechanism: its leaves release tannins and emit scents and pheromones to warn other plants when grazed by animals.
Additionally, a well and shade in these dry areas often become crucial gathering spots for entire villages. Once standing under the shade of a majestic baobab tree during the fiery African sunset, I recalled the words of a friend’s father who once said: "This human life is just like a baobab tree, my daughter. No one is strong enough to hold it all by themselves. All things need to rely on each other to live and die." His saying perfectly captures the essence of Ubuntu: the profound interconnectedness and mutual support that bind us all together, both in nature and in our communities.
By Comi Nguyen, Research Coordinator for Young SIETAR
