Wood mini-djembe drum, "Revival"

The Sankofa Anoma symbol graces this beautiful mini-djembe by Ernestina Oppong Asante. An Adinkra symbol communicating popular wisdom, it directs Africans to the roots and strengths of their beginnings and past. The bird turns its head and neck an almost impossible 180 degrees, because no strain is too hard for gathering bygone experiences and learning from them. The symbol is drawn from a proverb meaning "Go back to fetch it," inferring learning from the past in order to build for the future; it translates as "positive reversion and revival."

Carved from tweneboa wood, this beautiful percussion instrument is finished with mansion polish. Glass beads and brass plates further embellish it. The goatskin drumhead is affixed by iron rings wrapped in cotton, and a macramé cord can be slung over the shoulder. The djembe originated in Benin, where it is used during voodoo rites. It has been introduced into neighboring countries and is indispensable in contemporary reggae.