A West African Philosophy of Calm

[@HadizaAtta]

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]

Hello, Mrs. Serene Royalty. 😁

[@HadizaAtta]

@@eduardomarques91 hahaha! Hi

[@Royalbloodline1990]

🇳🇬🦋

[@beh4846]

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

[@yassi8814]

❤❤❤❤

[@beautifulaltogether2224]

" 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"

[@GbemisolaOluwasina]

❤

[@gabi119lool]

beautifully said

[@stellar2percent]

Grant me the itutu........

[@MedFredMBBS]

Mad how similar this is to stoic philosophy

[@treasuretshabalala132]

Love seeing you guys explore African philosophical ideas.

[@Keiaradise]

They definitely need to keep it coming!

[@trafficjam.]

It's the least "them ppl" can do🙄

[@josiahamaze]

We had it right at some point

[@trafficjam.]

@@josiahamaze thanks for proving my point

[@mo-s-]

@@m2pozad nobody is forcing you to watch?

[@pinkhydroponics7869]

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]

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]

liberia, that country from the vice documentary?

[@AngieF8]

​@@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]

beautiful, thanks for sharing! ☺

[@nicolelovett8467]

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

[@ericawatkins9075]

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

[@haute03]

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

[@csimple8114]

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]

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

[@osamedennadi6309]

​@@missteeshemah580no it's not.

[@osamedennadi6309]

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

[@tonigarciaromero2072]

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]

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]

So did they get you your passport now?

[@LittleKikuyu]

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

[@deathbywords]

What wonderful timing!

[@Cocoainjapan1]

Aaaw I hope you got your passport back

[@MG-fb4yj]

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]

Beautiful Soul

[@keepitmovinginternational3367]

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

[@griffinkirkland9087]

@@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]

@@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]

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 😊

[@idontknowwhatmyusernamesho5540]

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

[@Chelvam-so4qh]

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

[@Igor-my6ml]

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

[@phantomsinthemist]

​@@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]

​@@Chelvam-so4qhAfrica is an entire continent

[@Roxar96]

​@@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]

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]

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]

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

[@hotties3v3n]

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

[@carolineobrien]

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]

​@@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 🙏🏻

[@angeladelaja]

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]

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]

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

[@tayoodunowo6720]

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

[@laladieladada]

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]

@@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]

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]

@@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]

I’m sure your culture has so much to offer

[@rogeriopimenta6965]

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

[@Cindy99765]

Orishas

[@saadkhassoum9853]

We need more of African Philosophies ❤🎉

[@CursedWheelieBin]

Who’s “we”? 😂 Speak for yourself pal

[@AngieF8]

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]

Yeah let's all be poor!

[@clarity_.]

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

[@LittleKikuyu]

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 ❤️

[@kovacsikdaniel]

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]

Buddhism and stoicism also share a lot of similarities

[@ericzong1189]

convergent evolution.

[@firestorm1088]

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]

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]

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

[@stephthedinosaur2420]

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.

[@annodominimag481]

Love This

[@ashwin5327]

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]

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

[@jppaludetto16]

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]

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]

​​​@@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]

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

[@miradossantos9838]

Amazing discussion, very enlightening indeed. Àse ou Axé!

[@FRANCISCARUSOworld]

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

[@juanitamachain4726]

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]

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

[@tobypark2045]

"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."

[@Summer_Gold]

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]

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!

[@FURYWORLDx]

🖤

[@cindynguyen7297]

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]

Living almost the same problems...

[@aletheaclarke2541]

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]

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]

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.

[@justanothermortal1373]

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

[@MathewsNunes]

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!

[@frostmaiden85]

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 ❤

[@odebowale1838]

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]

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

[@bolivar1789]

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

[@bryanflo4500]

also commenting for posterity

[@laladieladada]

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]

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

[@louisanyanwu1829]

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.

[@louisanyanwu1829]

@katelynbrown3404 it is! What book?

[@acejepoypaloma8836]

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.

[@bobthemadmonkey]

How is that pronounced

[@desolahaastrup9360]

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.

[@Anitarasaki]

Yoruba here, loved this

[@jai_the_guy]

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

[@FaithEtiosa]

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

[@tiararobinson3965]

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! 🫶🏾

[@lisajackson3743]

Love that song

[@eccreedon]

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

[@blairbrujita]

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.

[@toefes]

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

[@InternationalDonDadda]

Hallelujah, a people who understand life.

[@euricequeen842]

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.

[@Syco108]

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.

[@leanykakicsi6152]

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.

[@reginatodd1]

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!

[@isaaca6445]

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

[@neerguptaa]

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.

[@j.rising7286]

What a gorgeous group of people. Just stunning! 😍

[@portobellomushroom5764]

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

[@pinkhydroponics7869]

Could you explain their take? Thanks

[@joey8033]

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]

i love this comment ❤

[@Chelvam-so4qh]

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

[@ateonna]

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

[@purposepit7473]

lmao right...

[@StarlightKii]

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

[@NicCageForPresident2024]

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.

[@Flictrinity]

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?

[@BloomingRose60]

Asé ❤

[@barbaravieira2667]

Pleeeease, tell us more of the African philosophy 😍

[@ramatuzubah2386]

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

[@WhenIsItUs]

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

[@ogeo.8966]

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

[@unusualnoise]

West African Stoicism. Love learning about this!

[@MsDestinydiva]

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

[@LSERA13]

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

[@seneca451]

Strikes me as living life in harmony, belief, and acceptance of determinism.

[@ilovepink775]

I felt this on a whole hearted level 🫶🏽

[@andreafrankfrank7348]

More, more and more of such proverbs please!!

[@inmamata]

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.

[@lukemclellan2141]

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

[@MsDestinydiva]

Thank you so much for globally representing❤❤❤ my people ! I have loved your Chanel since for over 15 years finally hearing myself ❤❤❤❤ je Kara ko tutu - cold , calm, cold calm waters - flow like the cold calm stream - I am tutu/ mo tutu.. mo je kara mi ko kutu

[@MsDestinydiva]

Cooooool ! That’s the English word - it makes sense and encompasses both , cold yet calm = cool ! 😎

[@malaikamillions]

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

[@ShanaGlee]

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

[@superflyrico]

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 🙏🏽

[@A_Z_A_T_H_O_T_H]

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

[@chocolatesugar4434]

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

[@lifehacks2985]

Yes I would love more of these from africa. Untapped knowledge.

[@god1770]

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." ✔

[@yassery.9916]

Love seeing you acknowledge Benin as Yoruba

[@damilola3636]

Thank you. This reminds me of 'Iwa Pele' in the Yoruba Ifa Tradition. In Yoruba Ifa culture, 'Iwa Pele' represents good character, guiding individuals throughout their lives and believed to be essential for success. Good character, or 'Iwa-Pele,' is considered a protective factor, even in times of danger. Yoruba traditions are rooted in the Yoruba religion. It's important to note that outsiders may ignorantly perceive Yoruba people as weak, but it's worth mentioning that the Yoruba tradition also recognizes warrior gods like Ogun,Sango and the rest…

[@loszhor]

I need to get more itutu in my life.

[@UXtatic]

Beautiful animation.

[@JemIsMyName-o]

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

[@kanishkkun]

Itutu❤

[@jamera8223]

This explains so very much.

[@eihwazz12]

another flavor of stoic approach, i love it

[@DC-sd1lw]

We all need more itutu in our lives

[@Laura-sg6ss]

They look GORGEOUS!! Yay! So good! ❤

[@tunde5605]

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

[@thirtythreeflavors]

Finally. Thank you. Thank you for bringing us wisdom outside of the tiny continent that is europe.

[@noahwright4599]

This vid went unbelievably hard for a channel that has had its fair share of misfires -- from my perspective. Great work on this one!

[@dharmakaurkhalsa3923]

Rest of the world should copy that! Thank God it exists SOMEWHERE! Smart, wise and quite conscious people! 🎉❤🎉

[@laladieladada]

What god are you thanking to? Their god is called Olorun =P It's a very interesting believe system ;)

[@manicmuffin]

Like stoicism and zen buddhism - you cannot control the circumstances, but you can control your reaction to them, and desiring anything different will only compound your suffering

[@lucillebalinska5868]

Thanks, I needed this. As someone not raised in West Africa, I could do with more itutu in my life.

[@VasudhevKutumbkam-z4y]

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

[@FoxinTaiwan]

This is beautiful. Excellent content!

[@LucasRodmo]

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

[@shredead]

I really needed this. Thank you

[@dominiquefelder1809]

Sounds like humility and to me.❤❤❤

[@alexl92]

This is the essence of Buddhism as well. Most world philosophies understood life and explain what to do already.

[@hello_04]

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.

[@noia888]

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

[@weston.weston]

The School of Life is usually so pale white European, I am excited to see color in this video. As usual, I value the message here, thanks Alain and company.

[@sasz2107]

This is also true in the American South, at least for people who were born there and have lived there for many years. Getting overly emotional isn't looked upon at all favorably. If you get angry and shout at people, native Southerners never quite hold you in the same regard and the emotional person will get talked about behind their back. I think it's more about how people treat others than anything else. Still, there's a belief that not everything is within our control. People from other parts of the United States get angry, and they think it means they're "doing something about it", but actually getting upset about it doesn't do anything or change anything. The only thing you can do is be aware and be prepared for a future occurrence, and have a Plan B if something goes wrong again. With delayed planes or trains, what is the point of shouting at the person behind the ticket counter? It isn't their fault and there isn't anything they can do about it - so just chill out.

[@sasz2107]

Behaving poorly in the American South is called "being ugly" to another person. It is definitely not something you want to be known for doing or being. You will be regarded similarly to someone who has a psychological problem.

[@goldilocks913]

Now YOU sound like a person l would enjoy a few hours of flying time with, not like so many others these days 😂

[@TG8.]

I would love to learn more about the wisdom of Africans like this!

[@noahlapuz3853]

More of these please!

[@temilolaabiola3750]

Love this so much Proud to be Yoruba ❤