Sankofa Bird: Decorative African Wooden Walking Stick

Look back to move forward. The Sankofa bird turns its head over its own shoulder to reach for the egg it carries, a reminder that the wisdom we need for the future was often left with us by those who came before. Sankofa Bird puts that image in your hand: a dark sese wood walking stick with the bird carved just beneath a circular handle, keeping watch over every step.

Designed by Ghanaian artisan Eva Asantewa Amakye, this premium walking stick is thicker and more intricately carved than most standard African walking sticks. The deep brown-black finish sets off the carved detail of the bird, and embossed aluminum accents add texture and light along the stick.

What the Sankofa Bird Teaches

Sankofa is an Adinkra symbol of the Akan people of Ghana, often translated as "go back and fetch it." In its bird form, the creature faces forward while reaching back for the egg on its back, which stands for the knowledge, values, and lessons of the past. The message is simple: bring forward what is useful from history so you can build wisely. Akan tradition also holds that keeping the Sankofa symbol close helps guard against repeating past mistakes. For many people of African descent, the bird has become a symbol of remembering ancestors, reclaiming history, and honoring the road that brought us here.

Walking Sticks in African Tradition

Many African societies regard a person carrying a walking stick with respect and dignity. Often associated with age, the walking stick marks someone believed to have gathered knowledge and wisdom over the years, and its carving can signal the bearer's status and values. Among the Akan, carved staffs held by the chief's spokesmen, the akyeame, illustrate proverbs for all to read. A walking stick topped with the Sankofa bird speaks that same visual language.

Hand Carved in Ghana

Each Sankofa Bird walking stick is hand-carved from sese wood, a native West African wood long favored by Ghanaian carvers, then finished in a rich dark tone and set with embossed aluminum. Because every piece is made by hand, there are slight differences in size, shape, and pattern, which make each walking stick one of a kind.

Eva Asantewa Amakye is a designer from Accra whose walking sticks give Adinkra symbols a form you can hold. She works closely with master carvers to bring her designs to life. Her collection at Black Art Depot also includes the Fierce Denkyem crocodile walking stick and the Winding Path walking stick.

Display It or Carry It

Hang it on a wall with masks, kente, or family photos; display it in a study or classroom, or carry it to church, reunions, Kwanzaa, and Black History Month events. It makes a meaningful gift for an elder, a history lover, a teacher, or anyone who honors where they came from.

Please Note: This decorative walking stick has not been approved as a medical mobility aid and is not intended for heavy-duty use. It is crafted for display, cultural celebration, and light accessory use. The stick does not include a rubber tip. You can purchase one separately; however, because each piece is handmade and the end width varies, we recommend waiting until your walking stick arrives so you can measure it and choose a tip that fits properly.

Measures approximately 39" H x 5" W x 2" D. 1.2 lbs. Made in Ghana.