The NSYEP Farm Guild was formed to preserve and support the arts, culture and
history of each community that has contributed to the urban agriculture industry in
America. Unfortunately, for many underrepresented and underserved communities,
the stories of their ancestors’ hardships that were directly tied to land and hard labor,
have been laced with so much turmoil and despair. Instead of feeling pride in their
heritage, students miss the lessons to be learned. They then choose to shun and
distance themselves from the bravery, wisdom and sacrifice our ancestors used to
overcome those challenges. Therefore, it is the responsibility of The Guild to re-tell
our ancestors’ stories -- not with gloom and doom that ends in sadness, pain and
destruction, but with colorful tales and celebrations that depict today’s proof that we,
indeed, have overcome.
The History of the Sankofa Bird (The Guild’s Icon)
The Guild will use the history of the Sankofa Bird as our tool to connect students to
the lives of their elders living and past. Sankofa is an Akan term that literally means,
"to go back and get it." One of the Adinkra symbols for Sankofa (seen on the left)
depicts a mythical bird flying forward with its head turned backward. The egg in its
mouth represents the "gems" or knowledge of the past upon which wisdom is based;
it also signifies the generation to come that would benefit from that wisdom. This
symbol often is associated with the proverb, “Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi,"
which translates to, "It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten."
history of each community that has contributed to the urban agriculture industry in
America. Unfortunately, for many underrepresented and underserved communities,
the stories of their ancestors’ hardships that were directly tied to land and hard labor,
have been laced with so much turmoil and despair. Instead of feeling pride in their
heritage, students miss the lessons to be learned. They then choose to shun and
distance themselves from the bravery, wisdom and sacrifice our ancestors used to
overcome those challenges. Therefore, it is the responsibility of The Guild to re-tell
our ancestors’ stories -- not with gloom and doom that ends in sadness, pain and
destruction, but with colorful tales and celebrations that depict today’s proof that we,
indeed, have overcome.
The History of the Sankofa Bird (The Guild’s Icon)
The Guild will use the history of the Sankofa Bird as our tool to connect students to
the lives of their elders living and past. Sankofa is an Akan term that literally means,
"to go back and get it." One of the Adinkra symbols for Sankofa (seen on the left)
depicts a mythical bird flying forward with its head turned backward. The egg in its
mouth represents the "gems" or knowledge of the past upon which wisdom is based;
it also signifies the generation to come that would benefit from that wisdom. This
symbol often is associated with the proverb, “Se wo were fi na wosankofa a yenkyi,"
which translates to, "It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten."
| The NSYEP Farm Guild & The History of The Sankofa Bird |
| The Herb & Farm of College Park NEW! 678-570-00398 ph / 678-829-1490 fax www.nextstepsyep.org |
| The NSYEP Farm Guild NEW! 678-570-00398 ph / 678-829-1490 fax www.nextstepsyep.org |
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The Akan believe that the past illuminates the present and that the search for knowledge
is a life-long process. The pictograph illustrates the quest for knowledge, while the
proverb suggests the rightness of such a quest as long as it is based on knowledge of
the past.
The Sankofa Ashe’ History Preservation Program
As the history of the Sankofa Bird is introduced to students, we will tie culture and art
events into our storytelling. Just as the scarecrow is the universal icon of the rural farm,
art depicting the power (ashe’) of the Sankofa Bird will serve as the icon for our urban
farm and garden projects. The symbolism of the Sankofa Bird will help students to
appreciate the gifts of the earth and honor the spirits of their ancestors as they learn to
grow foods that will enrich and nourish their minds and bodies. Through the Sankofa
Ashe History Preservation Program, the Guild will engage in several educational, artistic
and cultural events and activities to foster intergenerational outreach and community
development and involvement:
• Community Gardening & Urban Farming
• Art Exhibitions & Special Events
• Garden Crop Art Displays
• Edible Art and Landscaping
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Edible Garden Outdoor Classroom
• Garden Tours
• T.R.E.N.D.S. Science Fairs
• Holiday Events
• Concerts in the Gardens
is a life-long process. The pictograph illustrates the quest for knowledge, while the
proverb suggests the rightness of such a quest as long as it is based on knowledge of
the past.
The Sankofa Ashe’ History Preservation Program
As the history of the Sankofa Bird is introduced to students, we will tie culture and art
events into our storytelling. Just as the scarecrow is the universal icon of the rural farm,
art depicting the power (ashe’) of the Sankofa Bird will serve as the icon for our urban
farm and garden projects. The symbolism of the Sankofa Bird will help students to
appreciate the gifts of the earth and honor the spirits of their ancestors as they learn to
grow foods that will enrich and nourish their minds and bodies. Through the Sankofa
Ashe History Preservation Program, the Guild will engage in several educational, artistic
and cultural events and activities to foster intergenerational outreach and community
development and involvement:
• Community Gardening & Urban Farming
• Art Exhibitions & Special Events
• Garden Crop Art Displays
• Edible Art and Landscaping
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Edible Garden Outdoor Classroom
• Garden Tours
• T.R.E.N.D.S. Science Fairs
• Holiday Events
• Concerts in the Gardens
The Sankofa Bird
ATTENTION GUILD MEMBERS!!! The Guild will be hosting our annual planning
meeting on August 21, 2010 @ 5pm. Please confirm your attendance and directions
with Baba Bey at Ph: 770.771.3347 | Email: infor@professional-assistance.net.
meeting on August 21, 2010 @ 5pm. Please confirm your attendance and directions
with Baba Bey at Ph: 770.771.3347 | Email: infor@professional-assistance.net.
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NSYEP is a 501c3 tax exempt
non-profit organization
A service program of the
National Black Men's Health Network
non-profit organization
A service program of the
National Black Men's Health Network