A wooden toolbox adorned with intricate symbols has gone viral, challenging myths surrounding literacy in Africa. Samba Yonga, co-founder of the Women's History Museum Zambia, highlights that, contrary to popular belief, Africans possessed their own means of writing knowledge. "We've been taught that Africans didn't know reading and writing," Yonga explained, "but our history has been sidelined." The campaign seeks to reconnect communities with their rich heritage, featuring artifacts that reveal the integral roles women played in society.
One of the key artifacts is a leather cloak, beautifully crafted and last seen in Zambia over a century ago. This, along with many other objects, forms part of a collection that museums worldwide have held since the colonial era. The campaign, known as the Frame project, aims to reveal the written legacy of cultures like the Sona, a sophisticated writing system used by Zambia's Chokwe, Luchazi, and Luvale peoples. The geometric symbols of Sona, once etched in various materials, carry profound meanings related to community life and the cosmos.
Recent discussions on social media about these artifacts have sparked excitement, revealing to many that Africa had its own rich knowledge systems. Items highlighting the importance of women — such as a grinding stone that symbolized power when used as a gravestone — are proof of their significant contributions to society.
Yonga and her team are dedicated to reconstructing a forgotten past, embarking on a journey to document women's influences in history. "It's a treasure hunt," she says, "one that transforms our understanding of identity and community." Through this initiative, they hope to inspire a newfound appreciation for Zambia's cultural heritage.
