LESSON THREE • ACTIVITY THREE

Resistance Through Art

Storytelling is one of the most important ways that traditions and belief systems are passed down.

There are also other ways that ideas are communicated, including through art. In the film SANKOFA, the sankofa symbol appears at the top of an elder’s staff and around the neck of our story’s hero. Sankofa means “return and get it.” The symbol, created by the Akan people of Ghana, Africa, is a visual shorthand to communicate deep truths. Sankofa is one of more than 100 adinkra symbols.

In Ghana, adinkra symbols have appeared in pottery, furniture, architecture and, originally, in fabrics worn by royals during important ceremonies.

Younger learners will enjoy creating their own adinkra symbol out of clay with this art lesson.

LESSON THREE • ACTIVITY THREE

Resistance Through Art

Storytelling is one of the most important ways that traditions and belief systems are passed down.

There are also other ways that ideas are communicated, including through art. In the film SANKOFA, the sankofa symbol appears at the top of an elder’s staff and around the neck of our story’s hero. Sankofa means “return and get it.” The symbol, created by the Akan people of Ghana, Africa, is a visual shorthand to communicate deep truths. Sankofa is one of more than 100 adinkra symbols.

In Ghana, adinkra symbols have appeared in pottery, furniture, architecture and, originally, in fabrics worn by royals during important ceremonies.

Younger learners will enjoy creating their own adinkra symbol out of clay with this art lesson.