Paper short abstract:

This paper reconsiders the use of ontological approaches from anthropology. Examining the interplay between financial worldviews and ubuntu/umunthu, we aim to enhance understanding and address poverty in Malawi.

Paper long abstract:

This study explores the intersection of ontological worlding and financial worlding as essential aspects for understanding poverty and vulnerability in Malawi. Drawing inspiration from Escobar's pluriverse and the shift towards political ontology, the research aims to develop a framework that considers diverse ontologies and aspirations. The concept of ubuntu/umunthu, emphasizing interconnectedness and community, plays a central role. The study examines the WISALA Financial Inclusion Program, which empowers widows through microfinance interventions. Through interviews and narratives, the goals and aspirations of program participants are analyzed. The findings highlight the participants' pursuit of economic independence, aspirations for their children's educational achievement, and the importance of social inclusion. These narratives emphasize the significance of social cohesion and umunthu in the participants' lives. By integrating the principles of umunthu and financial inclusion programs like WISALA, a comprehensive framework can be developed to address poverty and vulnerability in Malawi. This study underscores the need to consider diverse ontologies and aspirations when designing effective measures for poverty alleviation, integrating cultural, economic, and social dimensions into the framework. The integration of ontological and financial worldviews provides a lens through which to examine the relationship between financial empowerment and overall well-being in the Malawian context.