Sankofa is the word Twi in Ghana which translates to "Go back and get" ( san - to go back; ko - to go; > fa - to take, to search and to take) and also to refer to the symbol Asante Adinkra is represented either with a stylish heart shape or by a bird with his head gliding back while his front-facing feet carry precious eggs in his mouth. Sankofa is often associated with a proverb, "Se wo is a wo wo wo ao yeni", which translates as: "It is not wrong to go back for what you have forgotten."
In addition to being used on adinkra fabric in Ghana, Sankofa's heart is a common design at gates in the United States, specifically New York City. In Brooklyn, Sankofa's heart is generally reversed at the gate to the Brownstone residence building.
Sankofa birds often appear in the traditional art of Akan, and have also been adopted as important symbols in the African-American African and African Diaspora context to represent the need to reflect on the past to build a successful future. It is one of the most widespread adinkra symbols, appearing in modern jewelry, tattoos, and clothing.
Video Sankofa
Will symbolism Edit
The Akan people from Ghana use the Adinkra symbol to represent this same idea and a version similar to the eastern symbol of the heart, and another version is a bird whose head is upside down to take an egg from its back. It symbolizes taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present to make positive progress through the use of benevolent knowledge. The Adinkra symbol is used by the Will people to express other proverbs and philosophical ideas.
Sankofa birds also appear on carved wooden benches, in Will gold, in some state umbrella or parasol umbrella ( ntuatire ) finial and at the staffing end of some palace linguists. It serves to foster mutual respect and unity in tradition.
Maps Sankofa
Use in North America and the United Kingdom Edit
During the excavation of buildings in Lower Manhattan in 1991, a grave for free and enslaved Africa was found. More than 400 residuals are identified, but one coffin is particularly prominent. Nailed into the lid of the wood is iron nails, 51 of which form an enigmatic, heart-shaped design that can be a symbol of sankofa. The site is now a national monument, known as the National Monument to the Land of African Cemetery, run by the National Park Service. The copy of the design found on the lid of the coffin is clearly engraved on a large black stone monument in the center of the site.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture uses a heart-shaped symbol on its website. The "mouse over" for the picture reads: "The Sankofa represents the importance of learning from the past."
Symbols Sankofa shows themselves across cities such as Washington, DC and New Orleans, especially in fence designs.
Janet Jackson has a sankofa tattoo on her right wrist. This symbol is also featured in his 1997 album The Velvet Rope , as well as on the supporting tour.
Sankofa is an event used by Saint Louis University to honor African-American graduate students and students who graduate with degrees in African American studies.
Symbols and names are used in the 1993 Sankofa movie by Haile Gerima, as well as in the movie title 500 Years Later by Owen 'Alik Shahadah.
A British stage production by Adzido Pan-African Dance Ensemble, written by Margaret Busby and aired in 1999, titled Sankofa .
The African-American string string Sankofa Strings, founded in 2005 by Sule Greg C. Wilson, Rhiannon Giddens Laffin, and Dom Flemons, is featured in the jazz band Chasin 'Gus' Ghost . The band itself released a CD of Colored Aristocracy in 2006. A second iteration of the band Sankofa, with Wilson and Flemons, as well as Ndidi Onukwulu and Allison Russell, released the CD The Uptown Strut in 2012.
Cassandra Wilson recorded the song "Sankofa", which appeared on his 1993 album 'Blue Light' Til Dawn CD.
Sankofa is the name of the band Liverpool that was formed in 2010. They have released one single "Siren Song" and a four-track EP that includes "Guttermouth" (both available on vinyl and as download).
In Duncanville, Texas, there is a business called "Sankofa Arts Lounge".
A Sankofa bird is carved on the floor of a slave ship by James Keziah Delaney in the second episode of the BBC Television taboo show, and also appears as a tattoo on his upper back.
References Edit
W. Bruce Willis, Adinkra Dictionary: A visual primer on Adinkra , Pyramid Complex (1998), ISBN: 0-9661532-0-0
Notes Edit
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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