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“Muntu, Kintu, and Bumuntu” are the three fundamental concepts involved in the definition of a human being in the Afrikan context. “Bumuntu” means the quintessence of personhood, that fundamental authentic mode of being humane. Bumuntu stands for the content of Muntu, the moral character, the essence of genuine humanity, and the essence of a deeply humane being. This word is widespread in Bantu languages. “Ubuntu” that most know is a linguistic variant of Bumuntu in southern Afrika.

In other Afrikan cultural groups, one finds profound similarities to the Bantu paradigm. For example, the Akan Tiboa – Aboa paradigm of personhood, the Muntu – Kintu paradigm of the Luba religion or the vision of humanity in Yoruba religion, all point to the existence of a common Afrikan vision of personhood.

In the Kiluba language, a human being (man or woman) is referred to as a Muntu (pl.Bantu). Muntu is not an ethnic concept, but rather a generic term for every human being. It is found in closely related variants in other Bantu languages. The word “Kintu” refers to things and to human beings who have lost their dignity. All over Afrika, there is a clear distinction between genuine humans and bad ones. Thus, to the fundamental existential question “What is a human being?”.

Afrikans respond: “Bumuntu”, this notion conveys the fundamental Afrikan understanding of genuine personhood or authentic humanity, it is Bumuntu that defines personal virtue, sacredness or gentlemanness. The distinctive characteristic of Bumuntu is the feeling of humanity toward our fellow human beings and is then that good character that believes in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity.

It is that ontological authenticity that governs the Afrikan quest for well being and the Afrikan celebration of the humanity of other fellow humans. Such solidarity is not a superficial condescendance. It stems from the understanding of the common origin of humanity as defined in African cosmologies. It is in virtue of this transcendant origin that the true nature of human beings consists in good character, which again is the intrinsic attribute of Bumuntu.