The Emergence of Sankofa Practice in the United States

Abstract

Sankofa is a small part of the Akan philosophical tradition, yet widespread informal and scholarly interpretation confirms that Sankofa represents a Diasporan phenomenon. This essay is an exploratory, working history of Sankofa practice in the United States that confirms the potential of the Adinkra system as a largely untapped philosophical resource. The widespread practical use of Sankofa among Blacks in the United States substantiates the community’s thirst for culturally relevant philosophies that can be used to characterize diverse elements of Black life. This essay encourages the community to understand the depths of Sankofa and to explore the Adinkra system’s value beyond Sankofa.

Rethinking Christian Religious Education in Ghana: History, Challenges and Prospects

“…Looking back at the grounds we have lost in teaching RE in the past, the doubts in the minds of stakeholders about our present engagements in the classroom, we can only make the future of Christian RE bright if we engage other religions and make RE relevant to contemporary challenges that impact the lives of our students. The egg (gem) in the Sank c fa imagery signifies precious knowledge that ought to be preserved for posterity (Temple, 2010). Similarly, Christian religious knowledge, along with prosocial elements in the other faith traditions, have immeasurable value to society and need to be preserved for generations to come.…”

African-Centered Transpersonal Self in Diaspora and Psychospiritual Wellness: A Sankofa Perspective

“…another key concept in the reclamation of African-centered healing and wellness in the diaspora is the West African concept of sankofa. Temple (2009) explored the Akan precept of sankofa which is an Adinkra expression and its emergence in the United States among African Americans. She provided a general overview of the Akan communication system, a system expressed through symbols and proverbs, noting that there are hundreds of Adinkra precepts, a few examples include dwanimen-humility and strength; gye nyame-except for God / supremacy of God; and, funtunfunefu denkyemfunefu-siamese crocodiles / democracy, unity in diversity.…”

“…From a socialpolitical liberation framework, Sankofa is an African Diaspora practice developed in response to the Maafa -a Kiswahili term which means enslavement and its psycho-spiritual aftermath. As a psycho-spiritual practice, Temple (2009) noted the impact of sankofa practices on African consciousness development as, (a) a legacy of natural cultural behaviors, (b) resistance to Eurocentric language and worldview and, (c) as a symbolic gesture toward Africanness. In this context, African consciousness development refers to the notion of African-oriented psycho-spiritual, cultural, and political awareness.…”

“…In this context, African consciousness development refers to the notion of African-oriented psycho-spiritual, cultural, and political awareness. Temple (2009) asserted that the Adinkra system is often incorrectly referred to as symbols or designs, rather than as communicators of philosophical and cultural values. She emphasized the need for both academic and community use of the concept of sankofa to expand beyond its symbolic use, by calling for the systematic study of "the history, culture, values, and philosophies of the Akan culture from which the Adinkra system and Sankofa emanate" (p. 3).…”

“…Africancentered scholar Karenga (2001) described sankofa as an "Afrocentric methodological practice of historical recovery" (p. 14). Both Karenga (2001) and Temple (2009) called for a renewed practice of "deep structural engagement of Sankofa" (Temple, 2009, p. 22) from an Akan philosophical context and its complementary Adinkra philosophies to assist African-American scholars in the reinvigoration of African-centered cultural recognizance. Two such practicing scholars are Grills and Ajei (2002) and their exploration of self / personhood from an Akan cosmological perspective.…”