Imagine a room filled with the brightest minds in contemporary theology, vibrating with excitement and sharing groundbreaking ideas. This was the atmosphere at Sankofa Conference 2024, held in Legon, Ghana, where Pastors, Professors, Scientists, and Activists alike, convened as the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. They discussed emerging theological themes focusing on the mutual impact on human life and the world around us. As I navigated through the thought-provoking sessions and vibrant networking events, I was struck by the sheer amount of knowledge and inspiration that filled the air. Here’s a glimpse into my experience and the valuable insights I gained from this remarkable journey
This year, nearly 250 registered participants from 25 different countries arrived at Trinity Theological Seminary in Legon, Ghana, for the Sankofa Conference 2024. This pilgrimage, brought together leading minds in theology to discuss this year’s theme: Earth, Pandemics, Gender, and Religion. Historically, the Circle’s focus was centered around religion, gender, including but not limited to concerns around violence against women; and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This conference expanded to include effects of earth such as climate change, food insecurity, and migration patterns; all pandemics sparked by the global COVID-19 outbreak, gender, and religion. As a recent seminary graduate, I was eager to explore new trends and innovations while also getting to rub elbows with matriarchal theologians and founding Circle members such as Prof. Dr. Musa Dube, Prof. Dr. Isabel Apawo Phiri, and Auntie Mercy Amba Oduyoye. Truly, a Sankofa experience.
So, what is Sankofa? Sankofa is most often depicted as an image of a mythical bird shown flying forward while turning its head backward to eat a “precious egg.” Sankofa is a principle, derived from the Akan tribe in Ghana. Translated from the Twi language, Sankofa means “to retrieve” or to “go back and get it.” They believe that one should remember the past to make positive progress in the future. The essence of Sankofa lies in the understanding that by learning our history and heritage, we gain insight into our present identity, the surrounding world, and the ways to improve both.
As a way of embodying Sankofa, 2024 would be a pilgrimage back to Ghana where everything began 35 years ago. In 1989, the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians was founded with the purpose of amplifying Pan-African and inter-religious theological perspectives of African women. However, the Circle has always included sister theologians both on the African continent and in the Diaspora.
Every day was packed with such rich opportunity to see our world in a new and enriching way. The presenters each were given 10-15 minutes to give us a small taste of the research they had been working on for years. These little teasers were meant to tempt us to read the full articles, once they are published. While hopefully igniting the spark of creativity for our own work. The researcher’s works directly and, in many combinations, expressed this year’s theme: Earth, Pandemics, Gender, and Religion.
One of the most provocative sessions was an analysis of Judges 19, by equating the dismemberment of the woman’s body in that story, to the damage we are doing to the earth. Most people are horrified by this Old Testament story, yet never bat an eyelash to the damage we are inflicting on Mother Earth and our fellow man by extension. I will never claim to be an environmental scientist, but this comparison to a biblical reference provided a contextual framework of destruction that this former social worker could horrifyingly understand.
I made copious connections with colleagues from all over the world, but meeting one of the Circle’s Rising Stars, Florence “Flo” Maina was a highlight. Flo is a theologian and an activist from Kenya. She is considered a rising star because of the work she is doing not only academically but also out in her community. The work she does is dangerous because of the continuous and widespread political unrest that continues to smolder in Kenya. We have continued to correspond since our respective returns from Ghana, and I am continuously inspired by her positive outlook for the future despite the constant danger she and her family face.
The most valuable lesson I took away was how truly interconnected our world really is. We will always notice the differences between ourselves and the other, whether it be through location, landscape, language, food, skin color, personalities and even theology. But embracing the differences, engaging with those around me, and asking questions, numerous educational and personal opportunities opened.
Overall, the Sankofa Conference 2024 was a significant learning opportunity. I never could have imagined the impact that these women from all over the world would have on me personally, professionally, and in the exploration of my own faith journey. It has been profound. I will carry these memories with me always, and look forward to exploring some of ideas and inspirations from the conference in my future work.
