The concept of SANKOFA is derived from the Akan people of West Afrika. SANKOFA is expressed in the Akan language as “se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenki.” Literally translated it means “it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot”.
“Sankofa” teaches us that we must go back to our roots in order to move forward. That is, we should reach back and gather the best of what our past has to teach us, so that we can achieve our full potential as we move forward. Whatever we have lost, forgotten, forgone or been stripped of, can be reclaimed, revived, preserved and perpetuated.
Visually and symbolically “Sankofa” is expressed as a bird with its head turned backwards taking an egg off its back, or of a stylized heart shape.
This concept can and should be directly applied to the things that occur in our personal lives that we view as pain, trauma or trial. There is a lesson in all things. Rather than linger, dwell or relinquish our power to them, go back, touch/feel/study them for the lesson within it for you and use the lesson as the fuel to move forward. It is wise to look back but only for the purpose of learning/healing/understanding.
*She is wise who revisits her past but resolves not to make her home there. ~MM*
