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Appropriating Ubuntu Philosophy to Women's Existentialism in Africa

Appropriating Ubuntu Philosophy to Women's Existentialism in Africa

Mary Wanjiku Kihuha
Copyright: © 2024 |Pages: 11
ISBN13: 9798369319994|ISBN13 Softcover: 9798369344606|EISBN13: 9798369320006
DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-1999-4.ch010
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MLA

Kihuha, Mary Wanjiku. "Appropriating Ubuntu Philosophy to Women's Existentialism in Africa." African Womanhood and the Feminist Agenda, edited by Maxwell Constantine Chando Musingafi and Chipo Hungwe, IGI Global, 2024, pp. 154-164. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-1999-4.ch010

APA

Kihuha, M. W. (2024). Appropriating Ubuntu Philosophy to Women's Existentialism in Africa. In M. Musingafi & C. Hungwe (Eds.), African Womanhood and the Feminist Agenda (pp. 154-164). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-1999-4.ch010

Chicago

Kihuha, Mary Wanjiku. "Appropriating Ubuntu Philosophy to Women's Existentialism in Africa." In African Womanhood and the Feminist Agenda, edited by Maxwell Constantine Chando Musingafi and Chipo Hungwe, 154-164. Hershey, PA: IGI Global, 2024. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-1999-4.ch010

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Abstract

Ubuntu, as a philosophy, emphasizes the interconnectedness of nature and humanity, and the importance of community wholeness. This chapter argues that women's experience in Africa has not benefited from this philosophy or its value system. Women in Africa are often treated as less than human and have borne the brunt of Africa's political and socio-economic instability. It also appears that Africa embraces the concept of interconnectedness and the value of every individual, as expressed in John Mbiti's philosophy of 'I am because we are.' However, women in Africa are subjected to dehumanization and subjugation in both public and private spheres. As such, this chapter asks an urgent question of how Ubuntu Philosophy is appropriated in Africa while one part of humanity is diminished. This chapter utilizes a retrieval methodology to explore cultural and religious windows of opportunity that affirm the humanity of women in Ubuntu context. The chapter discusses aspects of humanity within the context of ubuntu philosophy and how it affectes experiences of women in Africa.

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