GHANA · HERITAGE

Sankofa (Akan symbol)

What it means: The Sankofa idea values returning to retrieve what has been forgotten and learning from history; it has more than one traditional visual form.

Smithsonian records include a backward-looking bird-shaped goldweight and a heart-shaped version in contemporary painting. Their relationship does not make a modern artist’s full painting public material.

Often chosen for: Family, home & belonging · New beginnings & hope · Care, gratitude & remembrance · Curiosity, creativity & wonder

Respectful use: Sankofa II is explicitly copyrighted and must not be copied. A publicly described concept does not clear every rendering. This preview uses an independently composed backward-looking bird, without copying that painting or claiming a historical color scheme. Commercial clearance remains outstanding; check specific works, photographs, lettering, trademarks and community agreements separately. Prefer collaboration with local makers and do not copy museum photographs.

Sources: [1] si.edu [2] africa.si.edu