A West African Philosophy of Calm

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  • Опубліковано 10 жов 2023
  • For those prone to stress and losing their tempers, the Yoruba people of West Africa can offer a distinctive remedy: an unflappable attitude known as 'itutu'.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 821

  • @HadizaAtta
    @HadizaAtta 7 місяців тому +2230

    My name is Adetutu, it means royalty that is calm, soothing, cool and peaceful and that’s the same underlying meaning in this proverb you have referenced “itutu”. It’s nice to see African proverbs being dissected.. there’s a lot of wisdom in African philosophy ❤ thank you for sharing this

    • @eduardomarques91
      @eduardomarques91 7 місяців тому +34

      Hello, Mrs. Serene Royalty. 😁

    • @HadizaAtta
      @HadizaAtta 7 місяців тому +25

      @@eduardomarques91 hahaha! Hi

    • @Royalbloodline1990
      @Royalbloodline1990 7 місяців тому +6

      🇳🇬🦋

    • @beh4846
      @beh4846 7 місяців тому +12

      That's beautiful! Love and Peace from California. ❤❤🕊🕊

    • @yassi8814
      @yassi8814 7 місяців тому +2

      ❤❤❤❤

  • @beautifulaltogether2224
    @beautifulaltogether2224 6 місяців тому +220

    " Dear God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change , the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference"

  • @treasuretshabalala132
    @treasuretshabalala132 7 місяців тому +2729

    Love seeing you guys explore African philosophical ideas.

    • @Keiaradise
      @Keiaradise 7 місяців тому +46

      They definitely need to keep it coming!

    • @trafficjam.
      @trafficjam. 7 місяців тому +15

      It's the least "them ppl" can do🙄

    • @josiahamaze
      @josiahamaze 7 місяців тому +5

      We had it right at some point

    • @trafficjam.
      @trafficjam. 7 місяців тому +4

      @@josiahamaze thanks for proving my point

    • @mo-s-
      @mo-s- 7 місяців тому +20

      @@m2pozad nobody is forcing you to watch?

  • @pinkhydroponics7869
    @pinkhydroponics7869 7 місяців тому +890

    It's funny that I came across this, I'm 1st generation Liberian living in the US and everyone at my new job remarks at how "calm" I am despite our high stress positions. I always shrug and say "it's natural to me, it's how my entire family is, lol" and then I get online after work and see this. I love my culture!

    • @BearingMySeoul
      @BearingMySeoul 7 місяців тому +51

      It’s interesting how this idea is still found in black people in the Deep South. You will NOT see them rushing around about anything. It’s not verbalized much but it’s considered crazy to do so. It’s lovely to know there’s a much deeper basis for the mindset!

    • @1349aegis
      @1349aegis 7 місяців тому +4

      liberia, that country from the vice documentary?

    • @AngieF8
      @AngieF8 7 місяців тому +30

      ​@@BearingMySeoulAs an occasionally frantic recovering neurotic white woman in the South I admire this in all my Black friends.❤ They always remind me to chill, and I feel calm just being in their presence.
      This is exactly what I'm trying to learn through meditation and learning about stoicism and Buddhism.
      I'm going to share this with my Nigerian coworker, who definitely has those traits ❤️

    • @heretochill22
      @heretochill22 7 місяців тому +2

      beautiful, thanks for sharing! ☺

    • @nicolelovett8467
      @nicolelovett8467 6 місяців тому +10

      @@1349aegisLiberia is more than a country featured on vice are you okay

  • @ericawatkins9075
    @ericawatkins9075 6 місяців тому +715

    African Americans call this kind of calm "being unbothered". Everything is ancestral and universal. Love it ☺️

    • @haute03
      @haute03 6 місяців тому +65

      Yep. It reminds me of what my elders would say, "it is what it is." Accept it and move through it. 💜

    • @csimple8114
      @csimple8114 6 місяців тому +23

      Yesss exactly. I always saw it as somewhat cultural bc I got this thought process from my mother who would stay resilient and keeping going no matter the struggle at the time.

    • @missteeshemah580
      @missteeshemah580 6 місяців тому +8

      I was about to say the same like isnt it nonchalant in a way???😂

    • @osamedennadi6309
      @osamedennadi6309 6 місяців тому +10

      ​@@missteeshemah580no it's not.

    • @osamedennadi6309
      @osamedennadi6309 6 місяців тому +4

      ​@@csimple8114your mother had the best attitude to livivg.

  • @tonigarciaromero2072
    @tonigarciaromero2072 6 місяців тому +213

    I lost my passport in Japan so I lost my return flight and I'm stuck in here for the next 2 weeks while dealing with bureaucracy. On top of that I have to work remotely and study my MA using central European time. I was feeling so stressed and suddenly this video popped in. Now, I feel more relaxed now and accepting àse. I Love seeing African philosophy in this chanel. Thank you!

    • @delph.e8580
      @delph.e8580 6 місяців тому +8

      I found this video after losing my train thanks to the Parisian traffic jams and the bus driver who didn't stop... And I was in your situation in Turkey 3 years ago so I can relate. This too shall pass 😌
      Wish you luck!

    • @prernarawat8443
      @prernarawat8443 6 місяців тому +4

      So did they get you your passport now?

    • @LittleKikuyu
      @LittleKikuyu 6 місяців тому +3

      I hope you’re well!! Japan is a beautiful place to be stuck at ❤️ All the best fron Germany

    • @deathbywords
      @deathbywords 6 місяців тому +2

      What wonderful timing!

    • @Shadday_Xo
      @Shadday_Xo 6 місяців тому +2

      Aaaw I hope you got your passport back

  • @idontknowwhatmyusernamesho5540
    @idontknowwhatmyusernamesho5540 7 місяців тому +1340

    Finally, some African philosophy. Endless wisdom, but unfortunately rarely represented due to reasons we all know. thank you for this!

    • @Chelvam-so4qh
      @Chelvam-so4qh 7 місяців тому +16

      Can you cite some source where I can learn more about the African Philosophy?

    • @Igor-my6ml
      @Igor-my6ml 7 місяців тому +5

      I don't know the reasons but whatever it is it's stupid.
      Can you teach us about some more African philosophy.

    • @phantomsinthemist
      @phantomsinthemist 6 місяців тому

      ​@@Igor-my6mlProbably Western Colonialism, and the propaganda that all of Africa is a jungle filled with poor, starving kids that don't have water or education

    • @Maggiebenjee
      @Maggiebenjee 6 місяців тому +28

      ​@@Chelvam-so4qhAfrica is an entire continent

    • @Roxar96
      @Roxar96 6 місяців тому +33

      ​@@MaggiebenjeeWhich doesn't change the fact african philosophy (except for the north of the continent) is incredibly rare in other countries.
      It may be 20+ countries, the fact the continent is rich in ressources and thus kept in mayhem by riches make the question logical for me.
      He craves to know more about any of those country philosophies, nothing Bad behind that

  • @cnytk
    @cnytk 7 місяців тому +824

    You're talking about West Africa in general. Life is in here like that. With the exception of the capital cities, everything unfolds slowly, calmly and with acceptance. The happiness brought by the absence of choice is the main theme here.

    • @ebenezerghansah5720
      @ebenezerghansah5720 7 місяців тому +34

      thank you for this, maybe that is what creates balance in the universe, that the west must be busy full of soo many choices in your face, and Africa be the grounds of no choice, calm, slow with acceptance.

    • @syw9882
      @syw9882 7 місяців тому +45

      And passed down to the Caribbean descendants. Hence the popular phrase “Jamaica. No Problem!”
      🇯🇲

    • @hotties3v3n
      @hotties3v3n 6 місяців тому +9

      No hes talking about us right now the yoruba's. Stop stealing other people's thunder.😊

    • @carolineobrien
      @carolineobrien 6 місяців тому +23

      Since many in the Caribbean are descended from West Africans specifically. I think the intention from the comment above was to build a camaraderie and not to take the attention away from the Yoruba people or born West Africans and their direct descendants.

    • @JaseekaRawr
      @JaseekaRawr 6 місяців тому

      ​@@hotties3v3nfyi, there's a famous American Yoruba(her parents are from Nigeria) youtuber, named LovelyTi. She covers pop culture stuff, I used to watch her religiously lol. Still have love for her. So cool to see this video! I was thinking I should send it to her lol. You have a lovely culture 🙏🏻

  • @MG-fb4yj
    @MG-fb4yj 6 місяців тому +170

    i find it curious that my personality has always been like this but growing up in the west nobody ever seemed to find it a good thing. i grew up hearing most people tell me that i have way to much chill, that i don’t take things seriously as i don’t care about anything (even though i care about things deeply), that i’m clueless, “inmature” and “childish”. when in reality i’m simply emotionally regulated, believe in handling situations with a smile, cherish the slower simpler life and won’t allow negativity into my life. feels good to know i would be praised somewhere else❤️

    • @SunRisesubs1
      @SunRisesubs1 6 місяців тому +5

      Beautiful Soul

    • @keepitmovinginternational3367
      @keepitmovinginternational3367 6 місяців тому +5

      My sentiments exactly 💯 don't let the people of Babylon & the beast system (West) change you!!

    • @griffinkirkland9087
      @griffinkirkland9087 6 місяців тому +1

      @@keepitmovinginternational3367 you are deluded.
      your phone
      your food
      your car
      your house
      your kid's toys and textbook
      all are western, yet they are the beast.
      why not see them fully as the beast and angel
      just like all of us are.

    • @griffinkirkland9087
      @griffinkirkland9087 6 місяців тому

      @@MG-fb4yj nonsense. you have not met a calm person in the west??
      tell me how many calm person are in your country.
      Stoicism is from the west, it is an operating system for staying calm

    • @LittleKikuyu
      @LittleKikuyu 6 місяців тому +1

      My boyfriend is the chillest person I’ve ever know and he’s a „Westerner“. However, i think many of us
      , including myself, could benefit from more calm and collectedness 😂 We can all learn a thing or two from each other ❤️ I am glad to have found this video and would love to learn more about Western African philosophies 😊

  • @tayoodunowo6720
    @tayoodunowo6720 7 місяців тому +504

    wonderful lessons from my rich culture ... 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬

    • @laladieladada
      @laladieladada 7 місяців тому +5

      Do you have more source material? All i found is a Nigerian forum with a post from 2013 and almost 7000 views, and nobody even knows the word "itutu" i found it's actually "iwa-pepe".
      But i would like to see and learn more about the yoruba religion. It's a very interesting system to me.

    • @phizzy123
      @phizzy123 7 місяців тому +4

      @@laladieladadafrom what i’ve studied thus far, iwa pele is more along the lines of having good character and to constantly be trying to improve your character from what it was the previous day. i’m sure it’s much more involved than that, but this is the gist i have come to know. it’s hard to go as in depth as one would like if you are not actually practicing isese.

    • @JackyVSO
      @JackyVSO 7 місяців тому +8

      Are you Yoruba? And if yes, is this description of "itutu" accurate? I'm Danish and the way foreigners talk about 'hygge' is usually quite far from what it actually means so I'm a bit skeptic.

    • @tayoodunowo6720
      @tayoodunowo6720 7 місяців тому +10

      @@JackyVSO Yes , I am …the description is very close to bits of concepts & philosophy I have come across in Yoruba religion, the philosophy of the Yoruba people is actually very deep & expansive

    • @margaretcampbell2681
      @margaretcampbell2681 7 місяців тому +3

      I’m sure your culture has so much to offer

  • @rogeriopimenta6965
    @rogeriopimenta6965 7 місяців тому +238

    I’m a Brazilian with Yoruba ancestrally, this video explain a lot of my worldview

  • @angeladelaja
    @angeladelaja 6 місяців тому +130

    One of my forefathers was a king called Otutubiosun. He was the Awujale. He went to found another land called Idowa. His name has significant meaning in the way he handled his reign. Itutu also shows a sense of wisdom. The calm and maturity in knowing which battles to fight, when to act and when to know what is not WORTH YOUR ENERGY. Growing up in the states, there is a culture of NOW, of REACTION and sharing all upfront. My time in Nigeria taught me a softer more energy efficient way to live life. But Im learning every day

    • @LittleKikuyu
      @LittleKikuyu 6 місяців тому +14

      It’s such a powerful way of living! I’ve often noticed that unfortunately a common racial stereotype of African peoples here in Germany seems to be „they’re lazy“. I think this is of course complete nonsense but I now understand how this calm way of moving through life can seem like that for someone who is used to a frantic, capitalist hustle culture… I think we all can learn a lot from each other and I’m hoping there will be a world soon where we try to understand our fellow human beings rather than going for the judgemental interpretation based on our often very narrow field of vision…

    • @hamada49920
      @hamada49920 6 місяців тому +1

      Will I do live in east African country I am loving and embarrassing my itutu alot of judgment but only feeding it

  • @saadkhassoum9853
    @saadkhassoum9853 7 місяців тому +255

    We need more of African Philosophies ❤🎉

    • @CursedWheelieBin
      @CursedWheelieBin 7 місяців тому +2

      Who’s “we”? 😂
      Speak for yourself pal

    • @AngieF8
      @AngieF8 7 місяців тому +9

      I agree My black friends have this calmness I don't know if it's been passed down through the generations or if it's just their particular makeup. But I would love to learn more African wisdom 🙏🏻

    • @vooteimer1234
      @vooteimer1234 6 місяців тому +1

      Yeah let's all be poor!

    • @clarity_.
      @clarity_. 6 місяців тому +4

      ⁠@@vooteimer1234 you seem like a really joyful and accomplished person

    • @LittleKikuyu
      @LittleKikuyu 6 місяців тому +6

      I think some people answering here need an extra dose of calm and acceptance, mixed with a bit of non-judgement maybe? 😂 I personally would LOVE to explore non-Western philosophies more ❤️

  • @jppaludetto16
    @jppaludetto16 7 місяців тому +156

    I'm so glad to see this video. I am brazilian and, here in Brazil, we have a religion that was created by nagô-iorubá people who were brought here against their will to be enslaved. This religion is called Umbanda, which I am a member of, and àşę (or axé as we say in brazilian portuguese) is one of our principles.
    Thank you for illustrating such a beautiful part of african and afrodiasporic culture.

    • @odebowale1838
      @odebowale1838 7 місяців тому +16

      Umbanda isn't created by the nagô-yorùbá, but by bantu of the west central region of Africa, Kongo and Angola. The contribution of nagô-Yorùbá cosmology to Umbanda comes much later in its existence, around the 20th century, by the adoption of the now called Candomblé de Ketu, this one founded by the yorùbás in Bahia.

    • @llukelcs
      @llukelcs 7 місяців тому +12

      ​​​@@odebowale1838you're right, but also wrong, since Candomblé has also a bantu origin. Also, both Umbanda and Candomblé (and Jurema Sagrada, and others) are afro-diasporic religions but amerindian religions too, which is often (but unfairly) forgotten. Bantu peoples from central Africa offered their cult of the Elders of the Land to spirits worshiped by native american indigenous peoples, who also shared their own religious practices, thus forming the sketches for the first afro-diasporic cults of Brazil back in the 16th century, way before the yorubas got tragically mass enslaved by the late 18th/early 19th century. It is said that these older religious practices (also influenced by catholicism) led to the Kabullah (the ancenstral to Umbanda) and Calundu (the ancestral to Candomblé). Later, the Yorubas and Ewe-Fon peoples from West Africa would bring the cults of the Orishas and Voduns with them to the Americas, which would be integrared into these already existing mostly Bantu-Amerindian religions. (Sufi) Islam has also a part to play in this story, but this comment has become way too long already! I'm sorry for that.
      Candomblé de Ketu has definitely a more nagô-yorubá orientation, though. You're right. Anyway, Saravá!

    • @flavioeiras
      @flavioeiras 7 місяців тому +7

      Apart from the topic, great to see other Brazilians around here. Cheers!

    • @miradossantos9838
      @miradossantos9838 7 місяців тому +1

      Amazing discussion, very enlightening indeed. Àse ou Axé!

  • @juanitamachain4726
    @juanitamachain4726 6 місяців тому +89

    I guess being African American allows me to relate and want to be more like this. Trauma lives in your body and is passed down and helps to cause many people to have anxiety and fears. I am trying to find strategies and wisdom to become more peaceful. Happy to spend these few moments on this video.

    • @georgiaade8426
      @georgiaade8426 6 місяців тому +6

      I agree about intergenerational and social trauma. What a beautiful and informative comment. I hope you find peace through connecting more to your ancestral philosophies. I recommend west African literature too

  • @FRANCISCARUSOworld
    @FRANCISCARUSOworld 6 місяців тому +27

    Finally some positive African representation! We need more of this!

  • @ashwin5327
    @ashwin5327 6 місяців тому +58

    Pause and Breathe: When faced with challenges, take a moment to pause and breathe. Give yourself time before reacting.
    Acceptance: Understand that not everything is within your control. Accept life’s ups and downs as part of the natural order.
    Shift Perspective: View challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
    Detach Emotionally: Don’t get too attached to outcomes. Adapt and learn from experiences.
    Stay Grounded: Focus on the present moment to reduce anxiety.
    Choose Your Battles: Reserve your energy for what truly matters.

    • @williamb4335
      @williamb4335 6 місяців тому +1

      Wow! Thanks for your advice! I took a screenshot of your words so I can apply this to myself. GOD is so good!!

  • @kovacsikdaniel
    @kovacsikdaniel 7 місяців тому +460

    This is basically the teachings of Daoist zen masters. So cool and interesting to see that these ideas can emerge so far apart from each other. It makes their validity even more profound and believable about the human condition and how to live life.

    • @Finlandpro1
      @Finlandpro1 7 місяців тому +71

      Buddhism and stoicism also share a lot of similarities

    • @ericzong1189
      @ericzong1189 7 місяців тому +21

      convergent evolution.

    • @firestorm1088
      @firestorm1088 7 місяців тому +25

      As a jew I also noticed some similarities with the philosophy behind kvetching. Yes it’s complaining, but it’s resigned sort of complaining that acknowledges that there’s nothing we can do about so you might as well get your kvetching out and then move on.

    • @OneaeBlack
      @OneaeBlack 7 місяців тому +7

      It is innate. Instinct. As the creature is shy from the new pool of water, human also has gut feelin' and common sense derived from external five sense.

    • @pinkhydroponics7869
      @pinkhydroponics7869 7 місяців тому +31

      Everything true in this world is truly universal across cultures, it's so cool.

  • @stephthedinosaur2420
    @stephthedinosaur2420 6 місяців тому +64

    I love this and I think it's important to keep in mind that this does not mean we stand by, and don't react or protest to injustices. We must be able to discern when it is meritory to keep calm and not react, and when we must indeed react.
    I think all these philosophies being disseminated to the general public are important, but also at risk of being misinterpreted as an invitationt to shrugging everything off and disengaging, when that's in fact dangerous to an extent. In the end it's all about finding balance, whatever that may be to each one of us.

  • @tobypark2045
    @tobypark2045 6 місяців тому +12

    "The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience. A process that cannot be understood by stopping it. We must move with the flow of the process."

  • @justanothermortal1373
    @justanothermortal1373 7 місяців тому +9

    I just want to stop to say that the people in those photographs are absolutely stunning.

  • @frostmaiden85
    @frostmaiden85 6 місяців тому +14

    Okay, I'm going all the way "itutu" from now on. I've had enough sleepless nights worrying about things. Thank you Yoruba people for this wisdom that came to me 04:15 at night ❤

  • @cindynguyen7297
    @cindynguyen7297 7 місяців тому +64

    I find this philosophy very attractive. I now know that since my teen years I have been striving to be ‘itutu’ without realizing. But I’ve always struggled with the balance of being too unbothered vs. too angry at myself for making mistakes. I worry I’m being too laidback and passive by letting opportunities slip away or being too lenient on myself for mistakes I could have avoided with better discipline and self-improvement or not being ambitious to avoid competition. On the other hand, I get super mad at myself for procrastinating and not standing up for myself because I am afraid of confrontation or when I do I get frustrated afterwards that I didn’t say the right things to voice my point. I want to be ‘itutu’ but finding that balance to be the right amount of calm and cool without justifying my laziness as stress relief or being over critical of myself is difficult.

    • @firatbaran8634
      @firatbaran8634 7 місяців тому +9

      Living almost the same problems...

    • @aletheaclarke2541
      @aletheaclarke2541 6 місяців тому +5

      You really aren't alone in these feelings. Many of it I have found out stems from my low self-esteem. Not so much the surface level, no friends, shy and quiet, type but the kind that comes from some deeply ingrained value system that says I'm not enough. I hope you can come to a place in your life where you are "itutu", but don't beat yourself up if you can't get there right away. Change takes time.

    • @rochelle2758
      @rochelle2758 6 місяців тому

      I’m with Nap Ministry on this: “laziness” is an oppressive capitalist myth that’s been weaponized against Black people (and indeed all people of color) since the dawn of global imperialism.

    • @t3b0g0
      @t3b0g0 6 місяців тому +1

      Radical acceptance as a lifestyle.
      I think it's assumed self worth. You have to trust life. Requires tons of self-compassion and forgiveness.
      I think the calm (*Itutu) comes from a deep knowing that no matter how overwhelming circumstances get, I am safe... I trust life.
      The attractiveness of such a person comes from them not being over-bearing or over-reaching to compensate for a certain lack within. It's contentment expressed in everyday life, whether things go left or right.

  • @Summer_Gold
    @Summer_Gold 6 місяців тому +6

    I was feeling anxious, stressed, exhausted
    Watching this calmed me down a little.
    It made me realise that I don't have control over everything. Some days are good, some bad. Some days I'm full of energy, happy and highly productive, other days I'm feeling depressed, bed-ridden, worn-out and even suicidal, and that's okay.

  • @nicolew672
    @nicolew672 6 місяців тому +32

    wow I wonder how deep this runs! I work in a high paced often stressful job and my coworkers often times wonder how I always (usually) seem so calm. I'm American but my family is west African, Nigerian and Ghanaian! Much love!

  • @odebowale1838
    @odebowale1838 7 місяців тому +182

    Awesome video! You guys should look into yorùbá concepts of ire (it's pronounced eereh), obi and àláàfià. They are also great life lessons from the Yorùbá people. Also, the bakongo cosmogram (dikenga dia kongo) have amazing insightful knowledge about the porpuse of life, the understanding of the world and the self.

    • @odebowale1838
      @odebowale1838 7 місяців тому +23

      Also the word àse (with dots under s and e, I don't have the diacritics) is pronounced "asheh"

    • @bolivar1789
      @bolivar1789 7 місяців тому +8

      Hello there! Is there a book or a documentary you could recommend on the subject? Thank you in advance!

    • @bryanflo4500
      @bryanflo4500 7 місяців тому +4

      also commenting for posterity

    • @laladieladada
      @laladieladada 7 місяців тому +2

      You seem to know more sources. Can you point me the way where i can learn more about it? I already found that itutu is not an existing word but that it should be iwa-pepe. can you confirm this? Or can you point me to the original source of itutu?

    • @Oscar4u69
      @Oscar4u69 7 місяців тому +1

      I'm with you, they should do more of this

  • @MathewsNunes
    @MathewsNunes 7 місяців тому +22

    1:58 Oh, so that's the origin of the word "Axé" in Brazilian Portuguese! This word is commonly used in Candomblé (an Afro-Brazilian religion), as well as in Capoeira (martial art with African influences), and is also the name of a music genre, typical from Bahia state (the place with most African descendants outside of Africa in the world). Very interesting video!

  • @FaithEtiosa
    @FaithEtiosa 6 місяців тому +5

    More African philosophy please! My mother's side is Yoruba, this was lovely to see :)

  • @acejepoypaloma8836
    @acejepoypaloma8836 7 місяців тому +29

    in the philippines, the bisaya people has this word "hayahay" meaning being comfortable, relaxed, or being able to take things easy. it is also a way to describe a laid-back person. but also oftentimes, people associate the word to a lazy person too.

  • @joey8033
    @joey8033 6 місяців тому +9

    Yoruba person here, I would just like to appreciate the creators of this video, and I wished Yoruba philosophy and spiritual played a more crucial role in the lives of my people and our African cousins from around the continent, it's so much objectively better that all the religions that were imported to control and confused us it emphasizes personal development and consciousness over the leader-follower slave/cult like relationship religion preachers about, African spirituality would never ask you to "bring in a new member" or police/control your lifestyle rather in emphasizes individual consciousness and encourages you to seek guidance from your natural environment and body but unfortunately alot of damage has been done by the religion by the negative images it has been given belittling it to "ritual practices". Love from Nigeria! ❤️🇳🇬

    • @c4tac133
      @c4tac133 6 місяців тому +1

      i love this comment ❤

    • @Chelvam-so4qh
      @Chelvam-so4qh 2 місяці тому

      If you don't mind, can you say how to incorporate itutu in your life?

  • @eccreedon
    @eccreedon 7 місяців тому +10

    Anyone else immediately reminded of the “Calm Down” lyrics and the girl in yellow he describes? Just looked it up… Rema … Nigerian… niiiice 💛

  • @euricequeen842
    @euricequeen842 6 місяців тому +3

    I used to be chill. As a child nothing fazed me. Until my Ma always made me feel bad about being unfazed. It was like i had this intrinsic characteristic to just go with the flow and trust the process. I lost that growing up. Especially after being traumatized in University. I am slowing adapting that mindset again. And it feels good.

  • @leanykakicsi6152
    @leanykakicsi6152 6 місяців тому +4

    After almost having an anxiety attack this morning because I accidentally missed an important class practice, I think this was just what I needed.
    Okay, I'm not gonna lie, my teacher not being angry definitely helped a ton, but I need to build this philosophy into my worldview.

  • @toefes
    @toefes 7 місяців тому +7

    It’s like the African version of Stoicism, love it

  • @louisanyanwu1829
    @louisanyanwu1829 7 місяців тому +11

    Been a long and avid viewer of this channel and as a noble Nigerian I am glad to see some African (West African) concepts and ideas represented here. Someone said it sounds like a lot of stoicism, I agree but put in your words. To my fellow country men in the western region it is one’s Itutu. Shared global concepts and ideas different languages and cultures.

    • @katelynbrown3404
      @katelynbrown3404 6 місяців тому

      Your name is really Anyanwu? One of my favorite characters from one of my favorite books is called Anyanwu.

    • @louisanyanwu1829
      @louisanyanwu1829 6 місяців тому

      @@katelynbrown3404 it is! What book?

    • @katelynbrown3404
      @katelynbrown3404 6 місяців тому

      How nice! Wild Seed by Octavia Butler.

  • @jai_the_guy
    @jai_the_guy 6 місяців тому +7

    I really love this especially as a yoruba man. It really feels special that you are exploring our philosophies.

  • @blairbrujita
    @blairbrujita 7 місяців тому +15

    Thank you for sharing a snapshot of Ifa philosophy! Ifa and Orisha have managed to thrive in the Caribbean thanks to the work of our ancestors who survived the Mafaa.

  • @tiararobinson3965
    @tiararobinson3965 7 місяців тому +26

    This is wonderful. There's a song by Sade that gives me much "itutu" feel, titled "Keep Looking." I'm adding this video to my reference list for when I need to summon that feeling again. Thanks School of Life! 🫶🏾

  • @NicCageForPresident2024
    @NicCageForPresident2024 6 місяців тому +2

    I've noticed all my friends that are from West Africa or definitely very calm and they don't let little stupid Petty things get them all agitated. They're also some of the kindest people I've ever met.

  • @tunde5605
    @tunde5605 6 місяців тому +2

    Proud yoruba man here! we say "omoluabi o ni wa tutu, o ni iwa irele"

  • @portobellomushroom5764
    @portobellomushroom5764 7 місяців тому +13

    It seems that philosophies like this have emerged in many places, but I like the Yoruban take on it the best.

  • @neerguptaa
    @neerguptaa 7 місяців тому +8

    I can see people from all over the world and from different faiths being able to relate to the concept. This shows all philosophies have a common seed.
    This exact concept is explored in detail in Hindu philosophy. It's called The law of Karma. Bhagwat Geeta explains in detail how destiny and free-will are intertwined. Once one frees himself from worldly desires and keeps doing selfless action and at the same time accepts both desirable and undesirable outcomes as fruit of past Karmas; the anger and agitation automatically reduces and almost vanishes in advanced spiritual seekers.

  • @isaaca6445
    @isaaca6445 6 місяців тому +4

    Thanks so much for exploring positive African philosophy. 🙏🏿❤️

  • @barbaravieira2667
    @barbaravieira2667 6 місяців тому +4

    Pleeeease, tell us more of the African philosophy 😍

  • @zhenyalandyak8258
    @zhenyalandyak8258 6 місяців тому +1

    Hallelujah, a people who understand life.

  • @Flictrinity
    @Flictrinity 6 місяців тому +3

    It is so great to see African philosophy here. Kudos to you School of Life. A challenge I had with this piece was the accent of the narrator. As much as I understand that this is the signature voice of the School of Life - in the context of history and the current happenings in West Africa, I believe that it might have been useful to consider a different voice. I can imagine that this opens a huge can of worms, however, I could not shake the feeling of a "white man discovering Victoria Falls" from the tone and inflection of the voice. The colonial undertone becomes inescapable. English is the global lingua franca of the age, therefore, does it not make sense, to have the actual voices from where the school of thought comes from speak to them with more authority than this accent provides?

  • @calmerselfambientmusic
    @calmerselfambientmusic 7 місяців тому +1

    Such a beautiful concept, that I wish more people could adopt!💖

  • @ramatuzubah2386
    @ramatuzubah2386 6 місяців тому +2

    My name is Ramatu. I’m sometimes referred to as Tutu or Matu. I definitely personified “itutu”. I love this

  • @andreafrankfrank7348
    @andreafrankfrank7348 7 місяців тому +3

    More, more and more of such proverbs please!!

  • @ateonna
    @ateonna 7 місяців тому +8

    I have a little bit of Yoruba descent and this is very sweet to watch and learn from

  • @Syco108
    @Syco108 7 місяців тому +21

    I am so glad that you all are still making these. I watch them every week. They have helped me enormously with my mental health. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for the mental health of the world. You are doing important work here.

  • @thickgrater
    @thickgrater 6 місяців тому +1

    I for sure needed this mindset growing up.

  • @JemIsMyName-o
    @JemIsMyName-o 7 місяців тому +1

    I need to watch again and sit quietly to process. Thank you for bringing us this content ❤

  • @yeapieyeapie
    @yeapieyeapie 7 місяців тому +2

    wow i really love this! i definitely need to up my itutu game. calmness is such a valuable trait, and also an attractive one. :)

  • @NDIDIMentalHealthClinic
    @NDIDIMentalHealthClinic 7 місяців тому

    This warms my heart.

  • @god1770
    @god1770 7 місяців тому +11

    This is literally what being patient in life is. Every elderly from every culture has been passing it down to their children.
    It is funny how we have always found a way to explore different terminologies of cultures from across the globe in order to explain ideas that have always been, in the simplest form, generally put in front of us in the name of philosophy, making it sound deeper by replacing its familiar name to a native term coming from a small and remote community.
    "I shall learn to be patient." ✖
    "I shall learn to master Itutu." ✔

  • @hello_04
    @hello_04 6 місяців тому +2

    As an Black American descendant of enslaved Africans--I wish there was more recognition of this philosophy. Being forced to exist is the stranglehold of European time and philosophies is stressful. We have an extremely different sense of time based on these west african principles as well.

  • @odiammar
    @odiammar 7 місяців тому

    This is new and I’m here for it school of life 👏🏿👏🏿

  • @StarlightKii
    @StarlightKii 6 місяців тому +2

    I love the art style here. Everyone looks so beautiful ❤

  • @j.rising7286
    @j.rising7286 6 місяців тому +1

    What a gorgeous group of people. Just stunning! 😍

  • @Opandort
    @Opandort 7 місяців тому +15

    Brain makes problems 😪

  • @malaikamillions
    @malaikamillions 6 місяців тому +2

    This can be summarized in one of my favorite song lyrics: “who am I to blow against the wind”. ❤

  • @ShanaGlee
    @ShanaGlee 6 місяців тому

    Love, love, love the ideas here and love the graphics just as much. Beautiful.

  • @ZestyFlawa
    @ZestyFlawa 6 місяців тому

    So cool that you shared this ! Thank you
    Ase ❤

  • @kanishkkun
    @kanishkkun 7 місяців тому +4

    Itutu❤

  • @noahlapuz3853
    @noahlapuz3853 7 місяців тому

    More of these please!

  • @ogeo.8966
    @ogeo.8966 6 місяців тому +3

    I'd like to see more African philosophy. I'm commenting so you guys know there's a demand for that

  • @Anitarasaki
    @Anitarasaki 6 місяців тому +1

    Yoruba here, loved this

  • @chocolatesugar4434
    @chocolatesugar4434 6 місяців тому

    Sooo much wisdom in African philosophy and proverbs….I’m in awe ❤❤❤❤

  • @jamera8223
    @jamera8223 7 місяців тому +1

    This explains so very much.

  • @channelofhannahhere
    @channelofhannahhere 7 місяців тому

    Needed this! 👍 Thanks for sharing!

  • @lukemclellan2141
    @lukemclellan2141 6 місяців тому +1

    Such a beautiful life lesson.
    It's frustrating when others expect you to flip tables in hopeless situations, like it would make any difference.

  • @shredead
    @shredead 6 місяців тому

    I really needed this. Thank you

  • @user-sq6vb1on3d
    @user-sq6vb1on3d 7 місяців тому +6

    I so love "The School Of Life". I still remember how I used to desperately search for some cheaper version of your books and then failingly resorting to getting hands on a cracked free pdf version and then getting it printed. Oh god, oh god! I have had so many epiphanies while reading them. There have been numerous life changing news that arrived at my doorstep while i was onto some school-of-life-book. I owe it to you guys for keeping me sane.
    Plus a lil request, you gotta tone down the prices of the book in India. I still am not earning and it seems pricier. Thanks. I know it would be done

  • @ilovepink775
    @ilovepink775 6 місяців тому

    I felt this on a whole hearted level 🫶🏽

  • @WhenIsItUs
    @WhenIsItUs 5 місяців тому

    Definitely need more of this. Gotta focus our anger and agitation for more important things.

  • @intr0vert315
    @intr0vert315 7 місяців тому

    Thank you so much for making this video

  • @chimdi
    @chimdi 7 місяців тому +1

    Loved this!

  • @Rosannasfriend
    @Rosannasfriend 7 місяців тому

    Thank you for introducing this idea to me.

  • @superflyrico
    @superflyrico 6 місяців тому +1

    I remember having a back n forth with your office about how you only did European and Eastern thought as if these were the only origins of philosophy… I’m humbled you’re now doing Afrikan thought 🙏🏽

  • @inmamata
    @inmamata 6 місяців тому +1

    This is amazing, it resembles stoicism so much it blows my mind, zen is also quite similar. I find it mindblowing that phylosophies that encourage man to gracefully accept reality, and nature and to live as much as possible in the present moment have popped out in different corners of the world.

  • @ayisah84
    @ayisah84 6 місяців тому

    Thank you for sharing 🙏🏾

  • @arlenehutchinson9259
    @arlenehutchinson9259 6 місяців тому

    I love this channel ❤🙌🏾

  • @reginatodd1
    @reginatodd1 6 місяців тому +1

    This video came right in time. I was not having the best start to my day, but regardless of the circumstance I must adapt the characteristics of being "itutu". Thanks!

  • @desolahaastrup9360
    @desolahaastrup9360 5 місяців тому +1

    Wonderful that the intersectionality of our human experience is being explored. As a Yorùbá person blessed with the opportunities to experience many cultures it is heartening to witness the inclusion of my, and other heritage’s ways of being. In written Yorùbá a dot under an ‘s’ means it is pronounced ‘sh’ so ‘ashe’. Bravo for getting the spelling right, and thank you for all the wonderful videos and posts. I suspect you are making a lot of difference to a lot of people.

  • @Laura-sg6ss
    @Laura-sg6ss 7 місяців тому

    They look GORGEOUS!! Yay! So good! ❤

  • @anafernandes225
    @anafernandes225 7 місяців тому +25

    I really liked this "itutu" philosophy 💛
    We, europeans, would be wiser and happier if our minds could be flexible and understand "ase" 🙂
    "Itutu" philosophy would also help us to not react to news and politicians' propaganda, only in our own minds/consciousness 🙋

  • @A_Z_A_T_H_O_T_H
    @A_Z_A_T_H_O_T_H 6 місяців тому

    So like a mix of zen, daoist, and stoic. I like it 😌

  • @radhagupta5770
    @radhagupta5770 7 місяців тому +1

    so beautiful ✨

  • @svire3370
    @svire3370 6 місяців тому

    This is so beautiful! ❤

  • @crazyyym824
    @crazyyym824 6 місяців тому

    I need more of these

  • @a.m9452
    @a.m9452 6 місяців тому

    This was great! Much love to the great youruba people ❤

  • @noia888
    @noia888 6 місяців тому

    love this. Learned about this concept, and how it feeds into coolness from a friend. this was a good reminder

  • @gailaltschwager7377
    @gailaltschwager7377 7 місяців тому

    Thank you!

  • @nathalieduverna6963
    @nathalieduverna6963 7 місяців тому

    Thanks for the lesson

  • @TheMCmushroom
    @TheMCmushroom 7 місяців тому

    I love this

  • @LucasRodmo
    @LucasRodmo 7 місяців тому +11

    Àṣẹ is pronounced AH-SHEH.
    (The sh sound like in 'shopping' or 'shell')
    Awesome video!

  • @LSERA13
    @LSERA13 6 місяців тому

    This is the definition of my brother and he is the essence of cool.

  • @unusualnoise
    @unusualnoise 6 місяців тому +1

    West African Stoicism. Love learning about this!

    • @MsDestinydiva
      @MsDestinydiva 6 місяців тому +1

      This is why as a Yoruba - stoicism came to me !

  • @FoxinTaiwan
    @FoxinTaiwan 6 місяців тому

    This is beautiful. Excellent content!