Bantu ethics condemn the same destructive acts as Natural Law.

Evidence

Let us emphasize that there is no need to regard misconduct as accepted conduct because it is often repeated. The orthodox ethical norm does not consist in the ordinary behaviour of men merely because they excuse their lapses by selfish excuses. Moreover, I have heard Bantu say hundreds of times in various circumstances, “I bibi” (“It is bad”). What struck, and for a long time astonished me, was the note of profound conviction with which these two words were uttered, as if they felt, rather than knew, the distinction between good and evil. Thus it can be understood how they condemn in principle, and with all the force of their vital and indestructible wisdom, the destructive influence of the “muloji” (“sorcerer”, in the sense of the man who casts lots). The Bantu likewise reject lies, deceit, theft and adultery, on the same fundamental grounds of the destructiveness inherent in them. They also condemn, as Bantu, various very widespread usages such as polygamy, child-marriage and other sexual abuses. In short, they know and accept Natural Law as it is formulated in the Ten Commandments. — Frans Dokman, Beyond Bantu Philosophy_…, 700

Categorization

• XREF: Directly addresses the reading purpose on Bantu philosophy; connects to Tempels’s core project and to the wider question of comparative ethical systems.