Storytellers: Past, Present, Future, Forever
“This mural is meant to convey the historical and cultural pride of the West Philadelphia community through the beauty of our African ancestry.
“The mural covers the side of African Cultural Art Forum, a store and center that since 1968 has been importing African artifacts to Philadelphia. Their mission is to connect African-Americans with their cultural heritage to gain better knowledge of our present. This mural provides a visual representation of their mission.
“The adinkra symbols throughout the mural remind us of significant principles that guide us in our daily lives, individually and collectively as a people. The Creator of the Universe symbol, or nyame ye ohene, at the top of the mural emphasizes the importance of spirituality and our divine connection with all living beings.
“The animal to the left, or denkyem, symbolizes adaptability – the animal’s adaptability to changing environments, as well as human’s adaptability to different places and circumstances throughout history. This reminds us to celebrate our ability to create positive outcomes out of negative situations; to retain our complex cultural expression against extreme adversity; and to create beauty from virtually no resources.
“The figure on the far right depicts a Fire-breather of the Senufo Tribe in the Ivory Coast, who is wearing a powerfully patterned gown against a fire-red background. The Fire-breather wears a stylized mask through which he blows sparks, and his costume is traditionally covered with animals such as the lizard, which symbolizes masculinity. The Fire-breather reminds us of the interactive rituals essential to the spirit of our community, and of the crucial roles each person plays in the continuance of our community’s character.
“The woven pattern on the right, or nsaa, represents excellence and authenticity. This not only honors our innate capabilities of invention and creation, but urges us to raise our standards of personal interaction and community interrelations and to treat one another with honesty, genuineness and respect.
“The Sankofa Bird in the center recognizes that it benefits us to look to our past – to explore history – in order to illuminate the present and direct us toward a better future. African and African-American traditions have looked towards the griots to tell us the stories of our collective past and deliver wisdom to inform our future. In this spirit, the couple in the center, documented in black and white, represents the storytellers that connect us to our ancestral past.
“The families on either side of the storytellers represent the generational and ancestral relationships we all have, and the most intimate ways we pass on wisdom to future generations. They also represent community, both those who feel and show a connection to Africa and those who feel and show a connection to America.
“Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey are on either side as protectors of our community. They are known historical and political leaders who have imparted in their own way many of the Adinkra principles: self-determination, adaptability, and strength in community. They signify the potential for greatness we embody and the pride we share collectively.
“The mural is framed by cowrie shells, representing Goddess protection which is very powerful and connected with the strength of the ocean. Cowries are also seen as the mouth of the Orishas, or deities, who impart stories of humility and respect.”
The mural was restored in 2022.