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Paper short abstract:

Through u[buntu] we can reconcile people and offer hospitality to each other. Beyond the context of South Africa, u[buntu] is a universal demand that must and should be a reality in the academic field because within knowledge production, there should be no walls separating intellectuals.

Paper long abstract:

U[buntu] stems from all the various Bantu languages. Originating from Africa and more specifically from Senegal, the word u[buntu] is close to the word buntu which means “door” in my mother tongue Wolof. According to Professor Souleymane Bachir Diagne, the word u[buntu] means to make humanity together, to realize our humanity in reciprocity. The word buntu in Wolof also symbolizes hospitality, humanism, and reciprocity, so my door does not need to be closed, it needs to be open, and this opening symbolizes hospitality.

The door is also symbolizing this wall which separates us from one another. It must remain open. Therefore, my choice of the word u[buntu]. U[buntu] was used in South Africa to overcome Apartheid and all the atrocities that were committed in this period. Accordingly, this word can be used to reconcile people and offer hospitality to each other. Beyond the context of South Africa, u[buntu] is a universal demand that must and should be a reality in the academic field because within knowledge production, there should be no walls separating intellectuals. Therefore, u[buntu] must be put in place again against identity-based tensions. The rise of Ethno-nationalism is a major crisis of our time, and this crisis requires ubuntu to do u[buntu] together. The notion of humanity in general has a content beyond the reality of the tribe and it is not an empty word. Humanity is the first universal that must be opposed to all our particularism.