adinkra symbols sankofa

Sankofa, a traditional West African adinkra symbol, adorns the base of a traditional djembe drum. It depicts a bird with its head turned backwards, taking an egg off its back. The word sankofa in the Twi language of Ghana means to "reach back and take it," in other words, to return to one's roots or take what is good from the past.

Lawrence Kattah creates the patterns on tweneboah wood. The djembe originated in Benin and has been introduced into neighboring countries; it has become indispensable in reggae. The goatskin head is affixed by iron rings wrapped in cotton, and the drum features a macramé cord handle.