Anansi also has a family in several folktales involving him, consisting of his long-suffering wife Okonore Yaa – known in other regions as Aso, Crooky, or Shi Maria Ntikuma, his firstborn son Tikelenkelen, his big-headed son Nankonhwea, his son with a spindly neck and spindly legs finally, Afudohwedohwe, his pot-bellied son. In others, Anansi is an anthropomorphized spider with a human face, or conversely, a human with spider-like features, such as eight legs. While often depicted as an animal, Anansi has many representations, not only acting as a man but appearing as one. They later spread to West Indies, Suriname, Sierra Leone (where they were introduced by Jamaican Maroons) and the Netherlands Antilles also Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire.Īnansi is depicted in many different ways and with different names, from "Ananse", "Kwaku Ananse", and "Anancy," to his New World iterations, such as "Ba Anansi", : 102–123 "Kompa Nanzi" and/or "Nanzi", "Nancy", "Aunt Nancy", and "Sis' Nancy". Spider tales are found extensively throughout West Africa, but the Anansi tales originating from Ghana are among the best-known, as Anansi's name comes from the word in the Akan language for "spider". 5 Anansi as a spiritual and mythological figure.4 Relationship between Anansi and Br'er Rabbit.3.3.3 Anansi becomes a preacher, and why Cockroach and Anansi are enemies.3.1.8 Why Anansi runs when he is on the surface of water.3.1.6 How Kwaku Anansi took Aso as his wife, and how jealousy came to the tribe.3.1.5 How diseases were brought to the tribe.3.1.4 Why men commit evil at night, children play in moonlight, disputes are settled in daytime, and Anansi is Nyame's messenger.3.1.3 How Anansi's hind became big, and how his head became small.3.1.2 Anansi and the dispersal of wisdom.3.1.1 How the Sky-God's stories came to be Anansi's stories.He is among several West African tricksters including Br'er Rabbit and Leuk Rabbit. Despite taking on the role of the trickster, Anansi's actions and parables often carry him as protagonist due to his ability to transform his apparent weaknesses into virtues. Anansi is most well known for his ability to outsmart and triumph over more powerful opponents through his use of cunning, creativity and wit. Originating in West Africa, these spider tales were transmitted to the Caribbean by way of the transatlantic slave trade. Taking the role of trickster, he is also one of the most important characters of West African, African American and Caribbean folklore. He often takes the shape of a spider and is sometimes considered to be a god of all knowledge of stories. ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)Īnansi ( / ə ˈ n ɑː n s i/ ə- NAHN-see literally translates to spider) is an Akan folktale character. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points.