Sankofa Adinkra Symbol
The Sankofa – meaning It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten – is an Adinkra symbol – it is a very well know symbol amongst African American – searching for their roots and taking back their culture and origins – African symbols, especially masks, are about protection and are usually fearful to look at – and with witch doctors spinning their magic in Africa it is no wonder – this symbol, the Sankofa, is about wisdom and justice.
Sankofa symbol -part of the Adinkra symbols
Like many of the Adinkra symbols, it is balanced and beautiful. An uglier symbol from Southern Africa, the nyami nyami, is well loved by many Africans – if it were not so ugly it could be called an African love symbol – but it’s snake like appearance does not give that loving feeling – if you knew the story, and your ancestors benefited from Nyaminyami – you might think differently. It is a wonderful African story and well worth a read if you want to be inspired by African mythology and culture.
African culture has many hidden gems – symbols of love and bravery, faith and symbols of hope – while many people write Africa off as a savage dark place – which it no doubt is, they forget to look for the good- often represented in Adinkra symbols. In Southern Africa – the occult looks at the tokoloshe – I say look at n and other African love symbols – the symbol for love could be nyami – like all love – you need to get past the outside and look inside – discover Africa – look inside and see the gentle nature and culture of Ubuntu. The sankofa adinkra symbol is but one symbol of hope – there are many in African symbolism and African stories – seek brother – you will find them.