who is sankofa

Sankofa is a word from the Twi language of the Akan people of Ghana, meaning "to go back and get it." It symbolizes the importance of learning from the past to build a better future. The concept is often represented by a bird with its head turned backward while its feet face forward, carrying an egg, or by a heart-shaped symbol. The Sankofa bird motif encourages the idea that it is not wrong to return for what has been forgotten or left behind, using past knowledge to positively inform the present and future. This symbol and philosophy emphasize the value of reflecting on and retrieving wisdom from history to progress wisely. It is deeply embedded in Akan culture and has been widely adopted within African-American communities and the African Diaspora as a reminder to honor and learn from history for empowerment and growth.