What does this logo mean?

Name: Nkonsonkonson

Origin: West Africa (Ghana - Adinkra)

This symbol is traditionally patterned onto fabrics to honor unity and community relations, as well as human connections in general. It literally is meant to illustrate a chain “link.”

The image is traditionally printed into cloth and worn with a variety of prints surrounding it; in recent years, it is more commonly seen as a standalone symbol such as in the form of a carved necklace, woven into a bag, on a t-shirt, or even as a symbol on a chair (pictured below) ; Nkonsonkonson’s original appropriation as the base for a section of quilt-like motif is fading out in favor of the symbol alone. Adinkra symbols are moving towards this application as a singular expression in general.

A variety of renderings of Nkonsonkonson:

Why this symbol for The Village Link?

Aside from the physical depiction of a "link," the intrinsic value of human connections and strength in unity, a common phrase indicating the symbolism behind the image, lies at the base of The Village Link’s foundation (and founding).

The logo calls to mind many different things from an objective standpoint, all of which speak to our mission. Some examples include ears [ a direct allusion to voices ], a seed [ seeds of knowledge and prosperity being planted ] ; rotated sideways, the logo calls to mind a mouth. Our work begins in West Africa, but we intend for it to attain global reach ; ergo, a symbol common to the region of our inception fits well with TVL's place now + moving forward.

It is also highly adaptable. Below are a few examples of different ways it can be rendered - these are but a few of many possibilities. Like a globally interactive world, the possibilities are beyond what we can imagine. Please check back soon for a logo contest. We'd love to see your interpretation.