Symbol for Ubuntu – Nyaminyami

The African symbol for Ubuntu has got to be the Nyaminyami. This snake creature from Southern Africa has all the qualities that define Ubuntu. Nyaminyami was said to have cut meat from his own flesh to give to hungry people around him. The giving of the self to those around you is the cornerstone of Ubuntu – Nyaminyami gets my vote as the best symbol for Ubuntu. African symbols are often difficult for a westerner to understand – the subtle meanings and actual uses of symbols are intricately woven into African society and culture. While westerners may see an African sculpture and call it art – from the African perspective to carve a sculpture purely for the sake of looking at it is pretty foreign. African masks serve a purpose, they help the owner, or tribe with day to day living.

The nyaminyami, in times of need, represented this need. The people needed an altruistic symbol, not to look at, but to help the people to help themselves. The nyamnyami symbol filled that purposes. Nyaminyami offered hope to those in need and guidance to those that had. The odd thing about nyaminyami is that being a snake, and therefore feared by most Africans, he manages to gain their love and respect. Perhaps this is not by accident – who does not fear to give when there is so little. Overcoming these fears, and being able to give of ones self freely, and in times of need, is a difficult concept to understand and even more difficult to practise. Nyaminyami – what a wonderful symbol to represent Ubuntu in Africa.