Sankofa Park: Looking Back to Go Forward

Sankofa Park: Looking Back to Go Forward. . , The West African word and symbol "Sankofa" translates to "it is not taboo to go back and learn from the past." The symbol depicts a mythical bird that flies into the future while keeping its beak turned toward the past. Sankofa was chosen because it refers to the idea that knowledge is power and understanding the past enables us to move forward with authority., Sankofa Park Today , The descendants buried here are remembered and honored with spaces for reflection and learning as we work to create a more just and equitable future., ❶ Commemorative Lawn: Described in historical documents, the topography of the old cemetery rose north toward and extended beyond Livonia Avenue. The lawn behind you is an interpretation of the land when it was an active burial ground., ❷ Griot Stone: A griot is a poet, orator, musician, and storyteller from the West African culture. They recite the oral and recorded histories of their culture through music and the spoken word. The granite stone here serves as a place for the oral tradition to continue., ❸ Reinterment Marker: This is the burial place of the remains found during Archaeological research and construction of the park., ❹ Commemorative Area Fence: This represents the approximate boundary of the historic old cemetery and is decorated with West African symbols., The Andinkra Symbols , See if you can spot these West African symbols along the fences around the park!, Sankofa , (SANG-KO-FAH) , "Looking Back to Go Forward" , Symbol of importance of learning from the past, Epa , (EH-PAH) , "Justice" , Symbol of law and justice, slavery, and captivity, Nsoromma , (N-SOAR-ROW-MAH) , "Child of the Heavens [Stars]" , Symbol of guardianship, Denkyem , (DEN-CHEM) , Symbol of adaptability