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.
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