In a world drowning in data, the promise of ‘evidence-based practice’ often feels distant. For many, evidence remains something that is done to them, not with them. But what if evidence were not something separate from ordinary people – the result of research done ‘on them’ and ‘to them’ – but instead were generated with and for them, incorporating their own perspectives, knowledge, insights, and analysis? In a recent blog post from World EBHC Day by Jumwoh Miguel, Nange Lisette and Ayafor Leonel – storytellers at eBASE Africa –  the authors draw on the philosophy of Ubuntu – ‘I am because we are’ – to reimagine evidence not as sterile statistics, but as collective stories, shared wisdom, and lived truth.

Why Ubuntu matters for evidence

Rooted in many African cultures, Ubuntu emphasises collectivism over individualism, seeing the self as shaped by community, shared experience, and mutual responsibility. 

Translated into evidence communication, this means rethinking how we share data, research, and science. Rather than dumping complex findings into reports that few read or understand, Ubuntu evidence invites us to weave research into stories, songs, drama, and visuals. In other words, to use mediums that actually resonate with communities’ lived experiences. 

Why this matters – and why you should care

• Equity, inclusion, and justice. Ubuntu evidence challenges the notion that evidence must travel through formal institutions only, recognising that voices from marginalised communities bring crucial wisdom and context.

• Better uptake and impact. When evidence is translated through culturally relevant media, people understand and, more importantly, act. 
• Bridging divides. In a world plagued by misinformation, broken trust, and ‘infodemics’, it’s essential to have collaborative knowledge communication. 

Tori Dey and eBASE Africa

One of the most compelling examples of Ubuntu evidence in practice comes from eBASE Africa, which has pioneered a storytelling-based approach known as Tori Dey. Tori Dey brings evidence to life through songs, drama, paintings, and community storytelling. These formats make the information feel more familiar, local and human.

The method blends scientific research with indigenous knowledge, allowing evidence to flow through the same cultural channels that already carry wisdom and memory. In doing so, eBASE Africa has shown that when people recognise themselves in the narrative, they don’t just receive the evidence – they own it and act on it, together.

Want to read more about the great work eBASE is doing? See Evidence Tori Dey: Bridging the Research to Action Gap with African Storytelling.