PRINCIPLE OF UNITY OF IGWEBUIKE PHILOSOPHY AND THE LESSONS OF PSALM 133

Abstract

Complementarity implies the existence of distinct realities that need to relate and collaborate, resulting in a single reality that is better than each of the individual realities alone. This positive idea of complementarity is at the centre of the Igwebuike philosophy, an African philosophy in which individuating differences must work towards a corporate existence, where the ‘I’ does not stand as the ‘I’ but as a ‘We’, where life and living makes meaning. This calls, therefore, for harmony, togetherness and communality amongst people living together. These positive attributes have proven to be functional amongst not only the African societies, but amongst all humans. Because of the positive effect this philosophy has, it is worth emulating and practising. In view of this, from the theological point of view, this write-up aims to demonstrate how the message on unity and harmony of Psalm 133 can contribute more lessons and values to this principle of complementarity of the Igwebuike philosphy, illustrating, therefore, how theological values can help to improve as well the values already existent in the Igwebiuke philosophy.