Reviving Ancient African Writing: The Sona System

This article explores the resurgence of interest in Zambia's ancient writing system, Sona, as women reclaim their cultural heritage and knowledge through a digital campaign.

An ancient writing system from Zambia, known as Sona, is gaining unexpected attention in digital spaces. A social media campaign spearheaded by Samba Yonga, co-founder of the Women's History Museum of Zambia, aims to challenge the long-held myth that African societies lacked writing systems. This initiative showcases a variety of cultural artifacts, including a wooden hunters' toolbox inscribed with the Sona characters, spurring conversations about the significant oral and written traditions of pre-colonial Africa.

The Frame project, initiated in 2019, seeks to highlight the roles women played in historical societies and the rich traditions that endured despite colonial suppression. Samba Yonga emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with cultural heritage, advocating for the recognition of various forms of knowledge that have been diminished or omitted due to colonial narratives. "We had our own ways of writing and transmitting knowledge," Yonga states, affirming that the history of Zambian women is often overshadowed.

Among the artifacts are a ceremonial leather cloak and distinct geometric objects that represent deep cultural significance. The leather cloaks, primarily worn by women and constructed from lechwe antelope skin, reveal intricate patterns significant to Zambian identity. The resurgence of interest in objects from antiquity raises questions about the lost wisdom and practices of indigenous communities, many of which exist only in archival records due to colonial-era collection and preservation.

Yonga's exploration took her to Sweden, where she uncovered numerous Zambian artifacts housed at the National Museums of World Cultures. The museum's collection – gathered primarily during the colonial era by Swedish explorers – included over 600 objects, some from remote parts of Zambia. The researchers' work reflects a larger quest to recover and celebrate women's contributions to culture and history.

A standout discovery for Yonga and her team was the Sona writing system. Traditionally created using geometric patterns in sand, cloth, or carved mediums, Sona possesses significant meanings related to mathematics and the environment, reflecting an interaction with the cosmos and society. The system was primarily taught by women, and a few community elders still possess knowledge of its symbols and purpose, which greatly nourishes ongoing research efforts.

The campaign's popularity has engendered a fresh perspective among younger generations – many of whom express astonishment at learning about the existence of sophisticated knowledge systems within African cultures. The Women's History Museum of Zambia continues to document stories and items that reflect women's history and contributions, with newfound emphasis on an individual’s place and significance in her community.

In rediscovering these cultural elements, Yonga hopes to inspire others to reconnect with their heritage, fostering a deeper understanding of identity in a contemporary context. "It's changed the way I interact with the world," she concludes, aiming for a cultural revival that could transform perspectives about Africa’s rich history and its challenges during colonial times.