Utilizing Indigenous African Games as a Teaching Aid for Advanced Ubuntu
Fairhope Gumede 
Issue: Vol. 6 No.14 Article 3 pp. 3550 – 3560
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256143 | Published online 11th December, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
This paper examines how native African games can be used as teaching tools to promote Ubuntu, a South African traditional philosophy that specifically emphasizes community, empathy, mutual respect and shared humanity. Despite the recent increase in interest in culturally responsive learning, traditional African games are still not fully exploited as a useful educational tool. This paper aims to fill the gap identified by examining how African games with their rich social, ethical and cultural dimensions can be used effectively to promote and nurture Ubuntu values among students. The qualitative research approach was used in this study to examine which African games best promote cooperation, social interaction and mutual accountability, which is in line with Ubuntu principles. In this study, participants were observed and teachers and students in selected schools were interviewed. Interaction was directed towards how these African games affect students’ social skills, sense of community and moral development. The practical challenges and benefits of incorporating traditional games into educational environments are also assessed. The findings of this study show that African games are potentially powerful tools to effectively promote Ubuntu among learners, offering innovative and culturally grounded methods for teachers to foster social cohesion, empathy and ethical behaviour. By reintroducing these games into classrooms, this research has the potential to provide a framework that both preserves the indigenous knowledge system and improves the practice of the education system to bring it in line with African values.
Keywords: Indigenous African games, Ubuntu, Mutual accountability, Innovative, Cultural.
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Dr. Fairhope Ntokozo Gumede is currently a Lecturer of African Languages and Culture, within the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences, at the University of Zululand. Before taking this position, she was working as a language teacher under the uMgungumdlovu District in KwaZulu-Natal. She has a huge experience of being a Deputy Chief Marker of an NSC isiZulu Paper 2.Dr Gumede has published widely and extensively in high-impact international and national journals and book chapters, specialising in African Culture, Onomastic Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. Dr Gumede has chaired and presented (keynote addresses, papers, etc.) at international and national conferences and symposiums. Dr Gumede is a member of numerous committees. She is a member of a Digital Cultural Dictionary Project, which is sponsored by the Department of Sport, Art, and Culture within the institution. She is also a supervisor for a post-graduate students. Dr Gumede serves as an external reviewer for various accredited journals. She is currently writing an onomastics article in isiZulu titled- Origin and explanation of the names of schools and villages in Zashuke, Bulwer.
Gumede, Fairhope. “Utilizing Indigenous African Games as a Teaching Aid for Advanced Ubuntu.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no. 14 (2025): 3550 – 3560, https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256143.
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
