The Sankofa Carnival melds art, technology, and community to illuminate the vastness of African contributions to global culture. This virtual carnival aspires to reinterpret the concept of Carnival through an African prism, encompassing both the African diaspora and universal human experiences.

Sankofa is a word from the Twi Language of the Akan tribe in Ghana that means "to retrieve". This singular word has come to embody the idea of learning from the past to build a better future. Its literal translation comes from the Akan proverb, "Se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenkyiri," meaning, "It is not taboo to go back for what you forgot (or left behind).”

While deeply rooted in African culture, the Carnival seeks to stir the collective human soul. It serves as an emblematic vehicle for societal reflection, urging us to consider what lessons we can learn—and unlearn—in our perpetual journey from the roots to the stars. With AI, climate change, space exploration, and more all poised to dramatically transform humanity over the next century; now feels like a poignant time for reflection and intentional reinvention.

Follow us on social media, and keep an eye on the hashtag #SankofaCarnival for the latest updates.

Jacob Lawrence was an American painter known for his "Migration Series," which depicted the Great Migration of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North. His work often focused on the struggles and triumphs of African American life, as well as broader themes of social justice. Lawrence's influence on the Sankofa Carnival is profound. His ability to weave narrative and social critique into visual art serves as a guiding ethos for the project. The Carnival seeks to reclaim and celebrate African contributions to global culture, much like Lawrence did through his art.

The Mbari Club was an arts and cultural center founded in Nigeria in the 1960s. It was a hub for African and African-American artists, writers, and musicians, including Jacob Lawrence. The club's ethos of cultural exchange and artistic freedom is a cornerstone of the Sankofa Carnival.

Osinachi and Lateef are contemporary artists whose work echoes the visual language and thematic depth of Jacob Lawrence. Their pairing in this project is inspired by Lawrence's interaction with the Mbari Club.

The film, like the Mbari Club, was a groundbreaking platform for African-diasporic culture. Its influence extends to the Mbari Club's publication, Black Orpheus, which along with the film, has had a lasting impact on both American and African culture. The themes and aesthetic of that film also heavily influenced the conception of Sankofa Carnival.

Afrofuturism is a cultural, artistic, and intellectual movement that combines elements of science fiction, history, and fantasy to reimagine the past, present, and future experiences of the African diaspora. It explores themes of African culture, technology, and liberation, offering alternative narratives that challenge traditional perspectives.

Afrofuturism serves as a conceptual framework for the Sankofa Carnival, allowing us to explore and celebrate the African diaspora's contributions to global culture in an imaginative and empowering way. It aligns with our mission to reclaim, redefine, and celebrate African heritage while envisioning a future where African and Black communities are at the forefront of cultural and technological innovation.

Generative digital art refers to artwork that is created using algorithms and computational processes. Unlike traditional art, where the artist manually crafts each element, generative art employs code to set certain rules and parameters. The computer then executes these rules to produce unique, often unpredictable, pieces of art. It's a form of collaboration between the artist and the machine, where the artist defines the "DNA" of the artwork, and the computer brings it to life in myriad forms. This allows for a dynamic range of expressions, making each piece not just a static image but a snapshot of a larger, series of pictures within a process.

Blockchain is a decentralized digital ledger that records transactions across multiple computers. This ensures both transparency and security, making it a robust platform for various applications, including the arts.

NFTs, or Non-Fungible Tokens, are unique digital assets verified using blockchain technology. Unlike cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, each NFT is distinct and can represent ownership of a specific item or piece of content.

TMA Labs is utilizing blockchain technology to create a lasting digital legacy that is both secure and verifiable. This technology allows for the creation of unique digital assets, in this case, NFTs, that represent the community's artistic contributions.

Blockchain serves as a decentralized platform that empowers Black and African creators. Artists gain control over the ownership, distribution, and monetization of their art. This technology aligns seamlessly with the Carnival's mission to reclaim and celebrate African contributions to global culture.

The use of blockchain and NFTs extends beyond mere technological novelty; it democratizes art. Every contribution from the community is etched into a digital ledger, creating a lasting and verifiable legacy.

The technology serves as a backbone for the project's Afrofuturistic ethos, which employs science fiction and fantasy to reimagine the African diaspora's history and future. The adoption of blockchain in African nations for various empowering activities amplifies this vision, making the technology a fitting and strategic choice for the Carnival.

Go to withpaper.com 

Once the homepage loads, click the "My Wallet" button in the screen's top right corner. 

A new page will appear asking for the email address associated with your Toledo wallet. 

Click the "Continue" button once you successfully input the email you used to download your digital art. 

Next, enter the login code that was sent to your email for verification purposes. 

The wallet dashboard will appear showing your new artwork and any other items in your wallet. 

Click on your artwork for blockchain details, to transfer the item, or view on OpenSea.