Hospitality, Hospitableness and Ubuntu in Voluntourism

Authors

Keywords:

Hospitality; Ubuntu; Hospitableness; African hospitality; Voluntourism.

Abstract

This article aims to investigate the occurrence of alterity and solidarity as founding principles of hospitality and the philosophy and relational ethics called Ubuntu from the experience of Brazilians volunteering in sub-Saharan African countries. Qualitative, exploratory-descriptive research was carried out through semi-structured interviews with voluntourists who had been to South Africa, Ghana, and Kenya. Hospitable characteristics and attitudes were found in the volunteers’ descriptions of how they acted with the community members both in the interactions during the execution of the volunteer work and in other experiences during the trip. Regarding African hospitality, it was noticed an impact caused by residents' joy, happiness, gratitude, and simplicity. Through the observation of learnings, changes in attitudes, and transformations in voluntourists both individually and collectively, it has been understood that living in a community means supporting it through acts of cooperation and mutual respect, which are values present in the spirit of Ubuntu.

Author Biographies

Diego Ribeiro Santos, Faculdade de Tecnologia de Osasco “Prefeito Hirant Sanazar”

Doutor. Estágio Programa Capes de Pós-Doutorado em Hospitalidade na Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Currículo:  http://lattes.cnpq.br/6173042514530885. E-mail: diego_rsantos@outlook.com

Mirian Rejowski, Universidade Anhembi Morumbi

Doutora. Bolsista Produtividade em Pesquisas, CNPq 1C. Professora no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Hospitalidade, Universidade Anhembi Morumbi, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. Currículo: http://lattes.cnpq.br/8468269699377558. E-mail: mirwski@gmail.com

Published

2023-07-21

How to Cite

Ribeiro Santos, D., & Rejowski, M. (2023). Hospitality, Hospitableness and Ubuntu in Voluntourism . Revista Rosa Dos Ventos - Turismo E Hospitalidade, 15(3). Retrieved from https://sou.ucs.br/etc/revistas/index.php/rosadosventos/article/view/11662