![285448-Sankofa.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmRwZPiYgA45mmKJDmBU48k3FCsBEjXwntj4Ju23y9YjyY/285448-Sankofa.gif) *** Many moons ago, many rivers afar, the *Akan* people (present day Ghana) developed an advanced syllabary, the [Adinkra Symbols](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adinkra_symbols), that represented many aspects of their lives and beliefs, one of those being the Sankofa. SAN(*return*)-KO(*go*)-FA(*look, seek, take*) is a symbol of the Akan people's inquisition, quest for knowledge; with an inclination to pry deeply into one's history, with careful observation and examination of events, so as to chart a future that is both dignifying, and proven. The Sankofa symbol is a mythical bird looking backward over its shoulder, feet firmly planted and facing forward. This stance suggests that it is in looking back can we ensure a strong future. History and the present is filled with such instances, with references in the arts and performance, to the past; in science through research; and simply in commemoration/remembrance dates for past events, be it Independence or Auschwitz. Man goes back to accept responsibility, man goes back to borrow pride from previous achievements of their forebears. That is how we advance as humans. ### What is Sankofa Competition? Through our series of a creative contest, we are going to revisit aspects of our past, our culture, together and share it under a tag on the Steem blockchain. Folk songs, proverbs, folktales, legends of *Ananse* (the crafty tortoise), Inuit throat singing, initiation songs, herna art, haiku. Think of it, we will house it. All for a prize. I ran Sankofa earlier on and the reception was amazing, with some brilliant entries. It's with excitement that I announce that Sankofa is back, and better. Sankofa has its account on Steem, but for the obvious reason that I have more followers on this account, we would run it from here till we gather enough traffic to move activities to @sankofa. Every SBD and Steem Power rewards from the contest post will be transferred to the *permanent* account and used to power up. ### This Week's Task For this week we are going to explore the beauty and wisdom in proverbs. Like erstwhile Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe said, "proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten." Proverbs house wisdom. Proverbs address the most complicated subjects of our existence in everyday words, just with some more sage. ### Entry Rules - Share a favourite Proverb in any native language. Tell us its interpretation if it is not English. Share the application/lessons of the proverb. Be creative about its presentation. If you need inspiration, you can refer to these previous entries: [*Okenye Tocha O Chere Ibe Ya* - He That Has Grown Must Watch Others Do The Same (Igbo Proverb)](https://steemit.com/sankofacomp/@edumurphy/okenye-tocha-o-chere-ibe-ya-he-that-has-grown-will-see-others-do-the-same-igbo-proverb-sankofa-creative-competition-5) and [Tragedy Can Bring Low Even the Mighty (An Igbo Proverb)](https://steemit.com/sankofacomp/@madmaxfury/tragedy-can-bring-low-even-the-mighty-an-igbo-proverb-sankofa-creative-competition-5). Different styles, both brilliant works. Feel free to choose your media or form. Anyone from anywhere is invited to participate. - Only ORIGINAL works are accepted. Any form of plagiarism will result in a direct disqualification. - Entries MUST be in the form of a new post, and should have "Sankofa Contest - Author's Title" as its title, and use "sankofa" as tag. - It is not mandatory, but resteeming this announcement post will help spread the word, thereby increasing its visibility, making the contest bigger and more fun. - Submissions should come in before 10 pm UTC of Sunday 11 February, 2018. ### Prize #### First Place Prize is 10 STEEM Second Place Prize is 5 STEEM Plus, A brilliant entry would always get the attention of curators on Steem, thus more reward. ### Go ye into the shrines, under the baobab and iroko trees, into the moonlight, to the company of grandpa, and bring us those proverbs. Pay seven cowries if you need to. See you in seven days! *** _{Cover GIF from [LoveThisPic](http://www.lovethispic.com/image/285448/sankofa)}