In the Northern Natal regions of South Africa, Zulu tribes traditionally acknowledge other human beings at the start of every encounter by gazing into each others eyes in silence for 10 seconds, before the elder of the two says “Sawu bona” meaning “I see you”, to which the younger replies, “Sikhona” - “I am here.”
This simple act of acknowledgement is the most important aspect of their daily interaction. For this indigenous group, until they are seen in this way every day, they do not exist.
Our ability to really connect with one another is a huge part of what makes us human. And it is eye contact that plays the lead role in our innate ability to understand each other beyond words; when someone says one thing, but we're able to interpret something else, or for no words to be exchanged at all, but for a meaning or emotion to somehow be conveyed. This ultimately fuels our capacity to empathise, and as a result, our ability to connect on an even deeper level with one another.
