SAHN_Koh_fah comes from the Twi language of Ghana and translates to “Go back and Get it”. The word breaks down as San – to return; Ko – to go; fa – to fetch, to seek and take.
Sankofa is often associated with the proverb “Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi,” which translates as: “It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.”
We must return and claim our past in order to move toward our future. It is in understanding who we were that will free us to embrace who we now are.
The first time I read these words they had a powerful and enlightening impact on me. For me 2020 has been a year of transformation, transition and great personal renewal. This year has been rough, as I’m sure it has been for everyone.
Have you ever pulled into a gas station and the tanker truck was there refilling those big tanks? They say that’s not a good time to fill up your car because the process of them filling up those tanks stirs up all of the sediments that are at the bottom. If you fill your car up at this time some of that junk will end up in your gas tank and potentially cause major damage to your cars engine. Well, that is what 2020 has done for me, it has stirred up all of the junk that has been lying dormant for years. It’s as if God said, “This is the year that we are going to go back and get into all of your stuff.” “This is the year that we’re going to go back and face it and heal”. I know that God has a plan for my life, but in order for me to move into that life I have to go back and examine the past.
Spinning
At the beginning of the year I learned that I needed to have major surgery. I had suffered with the effects of fibroids for years but lately it had gotten to the point that the best option for me was the surgery. It was a very difficult decision to make, but a necessary one, and in February I had the procedure. The emotional and hormonal impact was severe. After about three weeks of recovery I planned to return to work only to learn that my office was being sent home indefinitely to telework due to COVID-19; the whole country shut down as I went into an emotional tailspin. You see when God wants to do a work in your life, He may have to stop the whole planet just to get you where He wants you.
When you have a lot of time on your hands you tend to do a lot of thinking. I had nothing but time. Just as a point of information, I am a thinker; I am ALWAYS in my head. In 2020 the thinking has been on overdrive. It has been crazy! I have spent a lot of time praying and digging through scriptures and listening to God. As a result of all of this thinking and praying and scripture reading and listening, I began to go within myself and self-examine. An amazing thing has begun to happen – Transformation.
Go to Clovis
It was on an August night that I prayed a prayer; I recognized that God was showing me my history, some of it is very painful, much of it resulted in repentance and the need for forgiveness. God has shown me me, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I understood that I need to be able to see things from God’s perspective and not my own so that I can move into my healing and my destiny. I prayed for complete healing and a clear mind to receive what He has for me.
Two days later I was thinking about the word Sankofa and what it means. We must return and claim our past in order to move toward our future. It is in understanding who we were that will free us to embrace who we now are. As I pondered that, I heard clearly in my spirit, “Go to Clovis”. Why Clovis? Well Clovis, New Mexico is where I lived from the age of 8 until I was 16 and then from 19 to 21. A huge segment of my development took place in Clovis. That is where some of the strongholds latched on, that’s where some of the destructive patterns began. There is where some of my spiritual markers are.
So what did I do? I booked a hotel and six days later I got in my car and drove to Clovis. I took my Bible, my camera and my journal and I spent four powerful days just me and God. I lived Sankofa. Continue to follow my page and I will share my journey with you.
None of us can claim to make change without understanding where we came from and how we got to where we are.
This is your truth! For interaction its’s the Who? What? When? Where? Why?
Questions to ask yourself for how your viewers will be able to respond and grow, none the least go back and get it.
Thank you Simone for your input. Please expound on your comments. Since I am just starting out every bit of input helps moving forward.
I love this!! Thank you for sharing!!
Your insight and authenticity is refreshing and necessary in our culture, Monica! As we begin the process of moving toward amid covid, we need truth seekers and the brave souls who will not only live it but share their wisdom among the way. 💚
Thank you Tasha for your encouraging words!