Sankofa: The African Symbol That Changed the World
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Sankofa is one of the most powerful symbols in African cultural philosophy, and one of the most widely recognised African symbols in the world. The word "Sankofa" comes from the Twi language of Ghana and means "it isn't wrong to go back for what you forgot."
The Sankofa Symbol
The Sankofa symbol is depicted as a bird looking backward while flying forward, or as a heart-shaped symbol. Both represent the same idea: that we must learn from the past to build a better future.
Sankofa in the African Diaspora
Sankofa has become one of the most important symbols in African American culture, representing the importance of reconnecting with African heritage and cultural roots. It is widely used in HBCU culture, Black History Month celebrations, and Pan-African movements.
The 1993 film "Sankofa" by Ethiopian filmmaker Haile Gerima brought the symbol to global attention, telling the story of an African American woman who travels back in time to the era of slavery.
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About the Author
Isaac Prempeh is the founder of Afropop Socks, a British-Ghanaian designer and entrepreneur based in London. He founded Afropop Socks in 2019 to celebrate authentic African cultural heritage through bold wearable design. Afropop Socks is now stocked at the Smithsonian NMAAHC, Tate Modern, V&A Museum, Natural History Museum, Barbican Centre, Selfridges, and MoMA New York.