The Individual’s Identity in the African Community
Gerishon Kuria Njuguna

Abstract
The African person cannot be understood outside the context of the community.This study attempts to show that personhood exists even without the community thoughthe person may not achieve his full potential.The paper establishes that;every individual is born in and depends on the communityfor his identity and advancement;personhood is both inherent and conferred; an individual’s behaviour is centred on the idea of vital energy; the individual is dynamic and personhood a process; rational reflection provides a basis for personhood; and that modernity has impacted on how a person identifies with the community. The study concludes that the community is important to the individual since through and in it he acquires his identity.Further, responding to contemporary situation of African values cannot be ignored. However, there is need to salvage some traditional African values in order torecover and promote the African identity.

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