What is Ubuntu? An Operating System? .....Naaaaaaa
Rajat Khatri
Helping Leaders/ Managers achieve Business Goals by Creating Happier & Engaging Teams | Workplace Happiness Coach | Speaker | Author | Turning Data into Impact | BI Expert | Data Analytics Leader | Consultant
An Anthropologist, wanted to study the habits and culture of the African tribes and hence stayed in Africa.
One day, he saw a few kids playing around, so he asked them, "Do you want to play a game?"
Everyone shouted "Yesssssssss"
He went and came back with a basket full of fruits, wrapped it with a beautiful gift paper and ribbon. He kept it in center of the ground.
Now he called all the children and said, "Ok, Let's play. When I'll wistle, you all need to run till the tree at the other end and return to me. Whosoever will win, will get the 'Gift'".
As he wistled, he was surprised to see the children. Rather than running individually, they all holded each other's hand and started running together. They all touched the tree at the other end and then returned together to him.
Before he could understand anything, all the children picked up the bucket and started eating the fruits together.
The anthropolgist was stunned to see this behavior which he has never seen in any part of the world. Standing there with surprise, he observed all the children but failed to understand why they all ran together and are sharing the fruits.
Finally, he asked the children, "Why did you all run as a group whereas one of you could have won the race and taken the Gift?".
A little girl from the group stood up and said, "How can one of us be HAPPY if all the other ones are Sad?"
A few years later, Desmond Tutu - a South African Activist, named this concept as "Ubuntu" which means "I'm; because we are".
He explained this concept saying, "We believe that a person is a person through other persons".
And therefore the focus on Communities started where people supported others to grow together. Communities focus a lot on "Social Connection" which is one of the key drivers of "Happiness and Well-being". Therefore, most of the communities have a goal to improve your health and happiness so that people can do what they love to do and contribute something meaningful to the society. It's proved that Happier and Healthier people have better chance of doing something for betterment of others.
So therefore, for "Happiness" believe in "Ubuntu" and care for others.