**Reviving Zambia's Lost Heritage: The Ancient Writing System of Sona**

Exploration of the Sona writing system and the resurgence of Zambian heritage amid colonial erasure.

A recent online campaign has spotlighted the Sona, an ancient Zambian writing system, contradicting long-held myths about literacy in African societies. Samba Yonga, co-founder of Zambia’s Women’s History Museum, emphasizes that African cultures had their own sophisticated methods for knowledge transmission that have been largely ignored due to colonial legacies. The campaign showcases various artefacts, including a uniquely inscribed wooden toolbox and intricately designed leather cloaks, that illustrate the significant roles women played in pre-colonial Zambian societies.

Yonga asserts that a growing interest in reclaiming cultural heritage is evident, illustrating a resurgence in pride and identity connected to traditional knowledge systems. The initiative highlights around 50 objects on social media, aiming to dispel the misconception that African communities lacked their own historical narratives. These artefacts largely collected during the colonial period from remote areas of Zambia have been stored outside the country for years, often without adequate recognition of their cultural significance.

One notable object is a clasped leather cloak worn by women, preserved in pristine condition by Swedish explorers. The artefact adds layers of understanding regarding not only women's craftsmanship but also their centrality in cultural heritage. In exploring more about these cloaks, community members were surprised to find that knowledge about their creation had largely faded. The museum's research also brought forth the Sona writing system, traditionally used by women of the Chokwe, Luchazi, and Luvale ethnic groups through geometric patterns etched in sand, cloth, and other mediums. This knowledge, once prevalent, represents a sophisticated means of communication and cultural expression.

In highlighting these artefacts and the narratives they carry, Yonga and her colleagues aim to reclaim lost histories and challenge persistent stereotypes surrounding African communities’ literacy and cultural practices. Their ongoing research seeks to understand and document the complexity of indigenous knowledge, further empowering the next generation to connect with their heritage. The Frame social media project serves as a modern vehicle for this dialogue, rejuvenating interest and advocacy for the acknowledgment of historical female contributions in Zambian society.