Ukukhonza as an ethic-oriented ontology to ensure harmonious existence among AmaZulu
The production of knowledge should be premised on the inclusion of all epistemologies to provide possibilities to build a more just world. However, knowledge production, as we have it today, is premised on Western epistemology which is used to distil other knowledges before they could be accepted as...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Afrikaans |
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AOSIS
2024-03-01
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| Series: | HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9085 |
| _version_ | 1827162148590059520 |
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| author | Nompumelelo Z. Radebe |
| author_facet | Nompumelelo Z. Radebe |
| author_sort | Nompumelelo Z. Radebe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The production of knowledge should be premised on the inclusion of all epistemologies to provide possibilities to build a more just world. However, knowledge production, as we have it today, is premised on Western epistemology which is used to distil other knowledges before they could be accepted as legitimate. This approach stifles possibilities to find different ways of knowing that could contribute to imagining the world anew. There is a need, therefore, to unthink the West such that we find other ways to understand the world. The article helps in unthinking the West to allow an authentic understanding of the indigenous people of South Africa. I argue that the ontology of AmaZulu – one of the indigenous groups in South Africa – is an ethic-orientated ontology that is expressed through the concept of ukukhonza – a process where one surrenders their identity in order to belong to the group (this can also refer to worship). In ukukhonza, the surrendering of one’s identity is to ensure harmonious living centred on a common identity that is unified by the principles of ubuntu. Drawing on the nuances of ukukhonza, this article argues that the ontology of AmaZulu is centred on respecting life in its different forms because it is believed that everything is interconnected. This understanding of life provides a different conceptualisation of God which anchors the religion that is practised everyday such that doing good is inescapable. This is an ethic-oriented ontology which when brought forth in its authentic form can address the many ills of modern society.
Contribution: This is the conceptual article that contributes to rethinking religion from an African perspective to provide a possibility of an ethic-centred society that can inform the new ways of being in the world. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T13:40:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a48ef37849544541b1a81880310c544e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0259-9422 2072-8050 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| last_indexed | 2025-03-21T00:40:12Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies |
| spelling | doaj.art-a48ef37849544541b1a81880310c544e2024-08-03T06:15:17ZafrAOSISHTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies0259-94222072-80502024-03-01802e1e610.4102/hts.v80i2.90855903Ukukhonza as an ethic-oriented ontology to ensure harmonious existence among AmaZuluNompumelelo Z. Radebe0Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, PretoriaThe production of knowledge should be premised on the inclusion of all epistemologies to provide possibilities to build a more just world. However, knowledge production, as we have it today, is premised on Western epistemology which is used to distil other knowledges before they could be accepted as legitimate. This approach stifles possibilities to find different ways of knowing that could contribute to imagining the world anew. There is a need, therefore, to unthink the West such that we find other ways to understand the world. The article helps in unthinking the West to allow an authentic understanding of the indigenous people of South Africa. I argue that the ontology of AmaZulu – one of the indigenous groups in South Africa – is an ethic-orientated ontology that is expressed through the concept of ukukhonza – a process where one surrenders their identity in order to belong to the group (this can also refer to worship). In ukukhonza, the surrendering of one’s identity is to ensure harmonious living centred on a common identity that is unified by the principles of ubuntu. Drawing on the nuances of ukukhonza, this article argues that the ontology of AmaZulu is centred on respecting life in its different forms because it is believed that everything is interconnected. This understanding of life provides a different conceptualisation of God which anchors the religion that is practised everyday such that doing good is inescapable. This is an ethic-oriented ontology which when brought forth in its authentic form can address the many ills of modern society. Contribution: This is the conceptual article that contributes to rethinking religion from an African perspective to provide a possibility of an ethic-centred society that can inform the new ways of being in the world.https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9085ukukhonzaafrican worldviewwestern epistemologyreligionindigenous knowledge |
| spellingShingle | Nompumelelo Z. Radebe Ukukhonza as an ethic-oriented ontology to ensure harmonious existence among AmaZulu HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies ukukhonza african worldview western epistemology religion indigenous knowledge |
| title | Ukukhonza as an ethic-oriented ontology to ensure harmonious existence among AmaZulu |
| title_full | Ukukhonza as an ethic-oriented ontology to ensure harmonious existence among AmaZulu |
| title_fullStr | Ukukhonza as an ethic-oriented ontology to ensure harmonious existence among AmaZulu |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ukukhonza as an ethic-oriented ontology to ensure harmonious existence among AmaZulu |
| title_short | Ukukhonza as an ethic-oriented ontology to ensure harmonious existence among AmaZulu |
| title_sort | ukukhonza as an ethic oriented ontology to ensure harmonious existence among amazulu |
| topic | ukukhonza african worldview western epistemology religion indigenous knowledge |
| url | https://hts.org.za/index.php/hts/article/view/9085 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nompumelelozradebe ukukhonzaasanethicorientedontologytoensureharmoniousexistenceamongamazulu |