IDI BU IDI N’ UWA: THE NEED FOR REAFFIRMATION OF COMMUNAL LIVING

Abstract

In contemporary Africa, there is a gradual shift from communalism to individualism. In this situation, people think about themselves above others. Individualism has led to social insecurity and instability as well as retarding development in Africa, since individuals do not pull their ideas, resources and strengths together for the common good of the society. They tend to foster their individual interests, even at the detriment of their society. This may not lead to development in Africa since individualism in a way tends to negate the well-being of the community. It is on this note that we call for a return to communalistic living in Africa. We do this, by alluding to the Igbo aphorism idi, bu idi n’ uwa meaning ‘to be, is to be in the world’. Our argument is that, if one sees him/herself as part of the community (uwa) of humans, he/she will seek to make the community and the individuals within it better. Using critical analysis and logical argumentation, we posit that communalism is a path to development in Africa.