Exploring Communal Values Across Spiritual Traditions

Introduction

Ubuntu, a term derived from the Bantu languages of Southern Africa, is often translated as “I am because we are.” It embodies the principle that our humanity is inextricably linked to the humanity of others: an ethic of mutuality, compassion, and communal interdependence. While Ubuntu is rooted in African philosophy and social practice, its resonance reaches across cultures and faiths—including the Religious Society of Friends, known as Quakers. This essay explores the Quaker perspective on Ubuntu, considering both parallels and divergences with other interpretations, and reflecting on how communal ethos manifests in distinct traditions.

Understanding Ubuntu

Ubuntu is not merely a philosophical abstraction; it is a lived reality in many African communities. Its essence is found in daily acts of care, generosity, and solidarity. The South African cleric Desmond Tutu described Ubuntu as “the essence of being human,” emphasizing that “my humanity is caught up, is inextricably bound up, in what is yours.” Ubuntu asserts that no person is an island, and that dignity, worth, and fulfillment arise only in relationship.

In the broader African context, Ubuntu has shaped models of governance, conflict resolution, and social organization. It underpins restorative justice, hospitable traditions, and the conviction that the well-being of one is the well-being of all. Ubuntu is at the heart of communal life, challenging individualism and celebrating the tapestry of shared existence.

The Quaker Perspective: Community and the Light Within

Quakerism, emerging in 17th-century England, is rooted in the direct experience of the divine. Quakers affirm that “there is that of God in everyone”—a phrase that, while distinct from Ubuntu’s language, shares a profound kinship in spirit. Quaker practice centers on silent worship, consensus-based decision-making, and the cultivation of “community discernment.” The Quaker Testimonies—Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship—reflect a commitment to living faithfully and justly within society.

Of these, the Testimony of Community most closely echoes Ubuntu. Quakers believe that spiritual transformation is not an individual pursuit but a collective one. Meetings for worship and business are conducted with the expectation that unity will emerge from attentive listening and mutual respect. The Quaker tradition holds that truth arises from the gathered community, and that the divine Light is revealed through relationship.

Ubuntu and Quaker Community: Points of Intersection

• Mutuality and Interdependence: Both Ubuntu and Quakerism reject the notion of isolated individualism. Ubuntu proclaims “I am because we are”; Quakers seek “unity in the Spirit.” Each tradition locates identity and purpose in the web of relationships.
• Equality and Dignity: Ubuntu insists on the inherent worth of each person, as does the Quaker Testimony of Equality. Quakers have historically challenged social hierarchies, advocating for abolition, prison reform, and universal suffrage—all in recognition of that of God in everyone.
• Nonviolence and Peace-making: Ubuntu’s ethic of care is mirrored in Quaker commitments to peace and reconciliation. Both traditions prefer restorative practices over punitive ones, seeking to heal rather than to divide.
• Consensus and Collective Decision-Making: Ubuntu-influenced governance values deliberation and inclusion; Quaker meetings operate by consensus, striving to hear all voices and to honor collective wisdom.

Comparisons with Other Interpretations of Ubuntu

Ubuntu is not monolithic; its interpretation varies by context. In some circles, Ubuntu is invoked to support post-apartheid nation-building and reconciliation (as in South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission). Elsewhere, Ubuntu has guided organizational leadership and corporate ethics, emphasizing collaborative success.

Other spiritual traditions echo Ubuntu’s ethos:

• Christianity: The body of Christ metaphor in Christian scripture—“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together”—resonates with Ubuntu. Christian teachings on love, forgiveness, and community mirror Ubuntu’s concern for the neighbour.
• Buddhism: The concept of interdependence (pratītyasamutpāda) in Buddhism affirms that all beings are connected, and that compassion arises from this recognition.
• Indigenous Traditions: Many Indigenous cosmologies stress the unity of people, land, and spirit, and the importance of collective well-being.

Divergences and Nuances

While there is considerable overlap in communal values, there are differences in theological grounding and emphasis:

• Source of Unity: Ubuntu is primarily a socio-ethical principle, rooted in cultural practice and oral tradition. Quaker unity emerges from spiritual discernment and the shared experience of the divine Light.
• Scope of Community: Ubuntu’s circle of care extends to all people, sometimes including ancestors and future generations; the Quaker community, while ideally universal, is often expressed within the gathered meeting.
• Individuality: Ubuntu does not erase individuality but situates it within the collective. Quakerism, likewise, values individual conscience—yet believes that the Spirit’s guidance is best recognized in community.

Ubuntu in Practice: Modern Quaker Engagement

Contemporary Quakers worldwide have embraced Ubuntu-like practices by advocating for social justice, supporting peacebuilding efforts, and fostering inclusive communities. Quaker organizations collaborate with African partners on education, health, and reconciliation projects. The Quaker emphasis on “speaking truth to power” and accompanying the marginalized reflects Ubuntu’s call to shared humanity.

In interfaith dialogue, Quakers often find common ground with Ubuntu practitioners. Workshops, joint projects, and spiritual exchanges enrich both traditions, highlighting universal aspirations for dignity and wholeness.

Conclusion

Ubuntu and Quakerism, while shaped by distinct histories and languages, converge in their affirmation of the communal self. Each tradition—one grounded in African wisdom, the other in the Spirit-led practices of Friends—calls us toward a deeper recognition of our interconnectedness. Ubuntu declares, “I am because we are”; Quakerism affirms, “there is that of God in everyone.” Both invite us to live with compassion, to seek justice, and to build communities where the Light in each person is honoured and nurtured. In a fragmented world, such perspectives offer not only a vision of hope but an invitation to walk together toward peace and wholeness.

Hill House Friends

June 2025