Dear amigos,

You may have noticed by now that typography is one of our biggest passions, thats why we find it incredibly exciting to discover new typefaces, specially if they’re inspired by culture and even more if they’re free to use. Sankofa Display checks all of our boxes, and we’re more than ready to show you why.

Sankofa is a Twi word from the Akan Tribe of Ghana that translates to, “Return and get it, learn from the past.” This is the ethos behind not only the typeface itself, but the designs it inspires, and the culture it represents. Sankofa Display draws inspiration from African art styles, with a focus on straight-line geometric designs.

With over 15 years of experience, Batsi Madzonga is the creator behind this unique typeface. His background in Computer Science (B.Sc.) combined with a lifelong passion for design and fine arts fuels his “best of both worlds” approach to digital product design. Currently, Batsirai leads the design practice at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank as Head of Design. 

Rooted in African heritage, Sankofa harmonizes clean lines with circular elements, echoing the complex yet balanced aesthetics often seen in everyday objects, such as the Zimbabwean clay pot, the hungwe (Zimbabwean bird) and Zulu traditional patterns showcased in their bead work and art. 

Sankofa is part of the Google Fonts catalogue (one of the most important badges a typeface can wear if you ask us), you can download it here. Make sure to check out Batsi’s portfolio to keep up with his work as a designer as well as a writer and public speaker. Thanks for reading amigos! You can find more of our showcased design projects in the inspiration section.