Sankofa / Kalayaan

Sankofa / Kalayaan is a dance film that explores the intersection of culture, spirituality, self-determination and reflects on the resilience practices that have been passed down from her ancestors. Inspired by the artists Amenta Abioto and Amanda Gorman, Alyssa embodies the search for revolution and freedom inside one’s self. The Sankofa is a mythical bird from the Akan people of Ghana. The African bird is depicted looking backwards, reaching for an egg to symbolize the importance of “remembering our past to protect our future.” Kalayaan translated from Tagalog, a dialect from the Philippines, means “Freedom”. This work seeks to find an answer to the question, Where do we find freedom in a world where we are tethered?