African Ontology as a Basis for African Existential Practices: Implications for African Education

Abstract

A branch of metaphysics, ontology is the study of being or reality. The way people perceive and understand reality usually shapes their day to day life and activities. The reality of existence is a fundamental issue in all human societies and affairs. There are differences in people"s world-views, based on their convictions about the nature of beings. These convictions greatly inform, influence and guide their everyday life and activities in relation to one another and their environments. In other words, people"s ontology is a basis for their existential practices. In this regard, this paper explored African ontology and its implications for African education. Using philosophical approach of conceptual frame and critical analysis of contents and contexts, the paper argued convincingly to establish that African ontology is holistic, hence the integrated African world-view, with high premium placed on the sanctity of human life. For the African, life is a continuum, with all beings, though hierarchical, in constant interaction. Some of the implications of this for African education were highlighted, such as the need for the integral education of the person and holistic character formation for the purpose of order, unity and progress in the African society. It was recommended, among others, that African ontology be strongly re-emphasized through seminars, workshops, and so on, and that the school curriculum should accord prominence to those African values that enhance unity and peace, such as truth, love, honesty, cooperation and sanctity of human life.