A Sankofa Moment with Layla
02-23-2022
By Donna Hammond, MDiv Student
The word, “Sankofa,” is from the Akan people of Ghana, and is a term that means “to go back and get it.” As we move through this Black History month, I am reminded that our history is rich enough that it is important to be reminded to go back, get it, and tell it. We are to share our stories with our children and our children’s children. This “going back” is what happens when the matriarchs and patriarchs of our families gather us around and share the stories of our ancestors, many of whom we have never met. Our great-grandparents and grandparents have stories that shape the family structures over the years, and also offer glimpses into our own lives that can, at times, explain why we are who we are, and why we do what we do as individuals and familial structures. However, sometimes, it isn’t our ancestors who remind us of who we are; sometimes it can be our children and/or our grandchildren.
My 7-year-old granddaughter, Layla, has an amazing spirit. She is very talented, especially with music. A few months ago, Layla’s mom signed her up for piano lessons. When she called to tell me that Layla was about to begin studying piano, my heart jumped for joy. You see, on my maternal grandfather’s side of our family, my great-aunt, Josephine Inniss, was a trained pianist in her day. In addition, Aunt Josie was one of the top piano teachers in the City of Chicago, having trained such notables as the late Robert E. Wooten, Sr. and his children, Bobby Wooten and Carole McDaniel. In addition, she was also the piano teacher of another talented pianist, Ms. Albertine Guy. Each time I’ve heard them play the piano, my memories of my own music lessons in her piano studio located in the South Center building at 47th and King Drive (South Parkway), came flooding back. In my youth, I sat and listened to my mother who enjoyed playing the piano. I remember watching her beautiful fingers as they played along the keys of her spinet piano and much later, on the keys of the black baby grand piano she bought for herself. And then there were the days when my Aunt Josie would visit us and she would go to my mother’s baby grand piano, sit down, and begin to play some of the most beautiful music as her hands fluttered across the keys so effortlessly – these moments were truly “grand”! My youngest brother followed in our mother’s and great-aunt’s footsteps. My youngest son, Daniel, Layla’s dad, also followed and plays “at” the piano.
Years later, I learned that not only did my maternal family love piano music, but my paternal family – that is, my cousin Herbie, his son Niles, and my cousin Chuck – all are AMAZING concert pianists in their own right! My uncle, Clyde, one of our elders, also loves piano music and only recently learned how to play! He even had a personal piano recital at his home and invited his family and friends to attend. It was such a joy to see Uncle Clyde sitting at his piano in his tuxedo, and sharing a glimpse of all that he learned.
Here I am today, as I went back and brought forth memories of my aunt and my mother, listening to my granddaughter who not only is learning how to play the piano in her virtual lessons with her instructor, she is so talented that she teaches herself how to play different songs. Her repertoire – yes, her repertoire – includes Christmas songs, gospel songs, children’s songs – some of which she has also taught herself the 2-handed correct chords! Layla’s love for the piano has created many Sankofa moments for me, taking me back to my own childhood love for music. I also believe my mother and my great-aunt’s spirits lie deep within hers; it’s as though they are right there with her every time she places those little fingers on her piano keys. Watching her videos and hearing her zeal for playing the piano have convinced me that my ancestors continue to live in and through us. They live through us in our piano playing. They live through us in our remembrances of their cooking and recipes. They live through us in pretty much everything we do.
I am a grandmother who is blessed to have several grandchildren – each with amazing gifts and talents. And I am grateful for these special moments of going back and getting the music of my ancestors – thanks to the God-given gifts of a child’s hands and a piano.
