Ntifafa. Paix. Peace. Pax. Lapè. Paz. Heiwa.
There are words that transcend borders, languages, and generations. Peace is one of them. Whether it's called Peace in English, Ntifafa in Ewe, Salaam in Arabic, Shalom in Hebrew, or Paix in French, this concept carries a profoundly human aspiration: to live together in harmony.
But peace is not translated the same way everywhere. It is lived, celebrated, and expressed differently depending on the culture. Here is a journey around the world to better understand this word that unites us.
🌍 In Africa: Peace as Collective Harmony
In many African cultures, peace is not limited to the absence of conflict. It is first and foremost a harmony among individuals, the community, and nature.
In the Ewe language (spoken in Togo, Ghana, and Benin), the word Ntifafa literally means inner and outer peace — a peace that radiates from the individual to their surroundings. It is an active peace, built every day through human relationships.
In the Ubuntu philosophy of Southern Africa, it is said: "I am because we are." Peace is inseparable from community ties.
☪️ In the Arab World: Salaam, More Than Just a Word
As-salamu alaykum — "Peace be upon you." This greeting, used by over a billion people worldwide, illustrates how deeply peace is at the heart of Islamic culture and spirituality.
The word Salaam is also one of the 99 names of God in Islam. Peace is not just a social state — it is a divine value, an ideal to be achieved in one's daily life, in one's relationships, and in one's heart.
✡️ In Jewish Culture: Shalom, Wholeness
In Hebrew, Shalom goes far beyond the simple absence of war. It denotes a state of completeness, fullness, and well-being. It is used to greet each other, to say goodbye, and to wish someone the best.
Shalom is also a spiritual aspiration: peace with oneself, with others, and with God. In Jewish tradition, building peace (rodef shalom) is considered one of the greatest virtues.
✝️ In Christianity: Peace as a Divine Gift
In the Christian tradition, peace is first and foremost a gift from God, offered by Jesus Christ himself to his disciples. It is in the Gospel of John 14:27 that one of Jesus' most famous sayings is found:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
— John 14:27 (NIV)
This peace is not what the world can offer — it transcends circumstances, trials, and fears. It is a deep inner peace, rooted in faith and trust in God. The Apostle Paul describes it in Philippians 4:7 as "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding".
In Christian life, this peace is lived daily: in forgiveness, reconciliation, and love of neighbor. It is both a received gift and a shared responsibility.
☮️ In the West: The Universal Symbol
The famous peace symbol ☮️ — this circle with lines — was created in 1958 in the United Kingdom. It quickly became a global symbol of non-violence and peaceful resistance.
In the West, peace is often associated with civil rights movements, the counterculture of the 1960s, and today with struggles for inclusion, equality, and social justice.
🕊️ In Buddhism: Inner Peace Above All
In Buddhist philosophy, peace begins within oneself. The concept of Santi (in Pali and Sanskrit) refers to the tranquility of mind, freed from desires and suffering.
For the Buddha, one cannot build peace in the world if one has not first found it within oneself. Meditation, mindfulness, and compassion are the paths to this profound peace.
🌸 In Japan: Heiwa, Balance and Harmony
In Japanese, peace is said 平和 (Heiwa) — literally "balance and harmony." In Japanese culture, peace is closely linked to the concept of social harmony (wa): not disturbing the collective order, respecting others, finding one's place in the group.
Japan, marked by the history of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, has a particularly deep relationship with peace. The city of Hiroshima is now a global symbol of reconciliation and hope.
What Peace Tells Us About Ourselves
Across all these cultures, a common thread emerges: peace is both an inner state and a collective project. It is built in the small gestures of everyday life — a smile, a kind word, a piece of clothing that carries a message.
This is exactly what we believe at LUSOQUOT: that every t-shirt, every mug, every tote bag bearing the word Paix or Ntifafa is a small seed sown in the world. A reminder that peace is possible — and that it starts with us.
Peace is universal, but it is expressed in a thousand different ways. It is collective in Africa, divine in the Arab world, wholeness in Israel, a symbol of resistance in the West, a divine gift in Christianity, inner in Buddhism, and harmony in Japan.
And you, how do you experience peace in your daily life? Share it with us in the comments 💬
Discover our Ntifafa. Peace. Paix. collection and wear this message with pride.
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