MEET: A WORD STUDY SERIES ON THE AFRICAN CONCEPT/CATEGORY/TRADITION OF SANKOFA-Part 1 of 3

This is the first of a three part word study series on the idea of SANKOFA as a key Africana Studies concept, category, and tradition.

According to Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia, then: 

"Sankofa is a word in the Twi language of Ghana that translates into 'go back and get it' (san- to return; ko- to go; fa- to fetch-to seek and take) and also refers to the Asante Adinkra symbol represented either by a bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg off its back; or as a stylised heart shape."

More, the Wikipedia entry adds: "Sankofa is often associated with the proverb...which translates as: 'It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.' "  (Source: The Spirituals Project at University of Denver; African Tradition: Proverbs and Sankofa).

More still, the online encyclopedia informs us: "The Sankofa symbol appears frequently in traditional Akan art, and has also been adopted as an important symbol in an African American and African Diaspora context to represent the need to reflect on the past to build on the future.  It is one of the most widely dispersed Adinkra symbols, appearing in modern jewellery, tattoos, and clothing."

Turning to AKan African tradition and philosophy the encyclopedia further tells us: "(The Sankofa sign) symbolizes taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress through benevolent use of knowledge. Adinkra symbols are used by the Akan people to express proverbs and other philosophical ideas."

Finally, the online reference work says: (The Sankofa symbol) functions to foster mutual respect and unity in tradition."

Current and past popular uses of the Sankofa symbol as a defining symbol are reported as that on New York City's African Burial Ground Memorial installation, as a symbol on the website of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C., as the title of 1993 iconic film by filmmaker Haili Garima as well as in the graphic title of the film 500 Years Later, by Owen 'Alik Shahadah.

Note:  This writer plans to present the two films above as part of the launching of SANKOFA FORUM.

Respectfully submitted: Rev. Joel Washington (Khunanpu Sangoma), Reformation Church-Chicago ("Young Barack Obama's community organizing sanctuary"), and for SANKOFA FORUM: ADLA-CHICAGO Elder Lions' Round-Table on Africana Studies