Abstract
The African ontological discussion, ubuntu, shows a deep connection between the self and ecology, spirituality, and community. This ideology on personhood can be found in different parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. Many cultural religious rituals centered in ubuntu ideologies are tangible depictions of the importance of nature as part of personhood and as being key to the rituals themselves. The holism of rituals is a key exploratory point because they connect people to ecology, ancestors, and deity, while also contributing to the intended cultural religious practice. This article will be a philosophical discussion on African understandings of personhood and its link to nature. Discussions on rituals will be used as illustrations of how Africans connect personhood, community, nature, and spirituality. This will be done by specifically looking at some cultural practices that exist in Zulu and many other Nguni cultural groups as examples. This article will look at the significance of Nguni rain and fertility goddess, Nomkhubulwane, and how rituals and festivals constructed around her bring people closer to the protection and preservation of ecology for physical and spiritual connectedness.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.