It has come to my attention that some people might not be aware of the West African folklore hero (or god in some stories) Anansi the Spider. So, in an attempt to educate and keep readers reading my quirky stories, I have created a short introduction to the character and his significance to African and American culture.
By the way, this article is an extremely abridged, crash course on Anansi. There are several online sources if you are interested in a more in-depth look at ‘ole Mr. Nancy.
Origins of Anansi in West Africa
Anansi, also known as Kwaku Ananse or Ananse Ntontan, is a prominent figure in Ashanti and Akan folklore from Ghana. He’s not your ordinary spider — he’s a clever trickster who weaves intricate webs of deception to outsmart more powerful adversaries. Anansi is like a superhero and anti-hero rolled into one, showing off the crazy complexity of human nature. He’s essentially West African Loki!
Anansi's stories, known as Anansesem or "spider tales," were traditionally passed down through generations orally, serving as a…
