Roots & Routes | Summer 2019

This is a brief summary of my study abroad trip. This trip to West Africa altered my worldview and changed the trajectory of my life.

This life-altering opportunity has granted me the privilege to experience Sankofa with a cultural journey through Ghana. This trip explored slavery and colonialism; economics and globalization; and contemporary Ghana—people, culture, and society.

What is "Sankofa"?

The concept of “Sankofa” is derived from the Akan people of West Africa. “Sankofa” in the Twi language means,"se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenki.” This translated to English means “it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot”.

“Sankofa” teaches us that we must go back to our roots in order to move forward. That is, we should reach back and gather the best of what our past has to teach us, so that we can achieve our full potential as we move forward. Whatever we have lost, forgotten, forgone, or been stripped of can be reclaimed, revived, preserved, and perpetuated.

The images above are visual representations of the concept of Sankofa. These West African Adinkra symbols serve as reminders that it is important to revisit the past to make the best of our present reality and mindfully plan for the future.

Click here for more information

Honestly, I am still unpacking everything that I have experienced within the brief moments spent in Ghana. Before embarking on the journey to West Africa, I learned invaluable information regarding globalization, colonialism, racism, and the African diaspora. I am fascinated by the rich history that is deeply embedded within African cultures. Furthermore, I find it necessary to seek out knowledge and critically think about the world that I live in today. Although it may sometimes be difficult to thrive within a system meant to oppress individuals, I continue to persevere despite it all.

I enjoy collaborating with others and working individually to collect, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to implement innovative solutions to challenging local and global problems. In order to be an effective agent of change, I must remain self-aware and in alignment with the frequency of love. Love for myself, "others", and everything else that becomes a manifestation within my external reality. I would call this phase of my life "Decolonization of the Mind, Body, and Spirit."