Anansi Folktales

Anansi Folktales in the Diaspora is a thrilling collection of stories and an excellent reminder of the oral tradition of our African and Caribbean culture. This book of 125 pages is divided into two sections. 

The first section contains thirty-three (33), Anansi stories retold from West Africa, the Caribbean and Guyana. In All Stories are Anansi’s, we meet Nyame, the Sky God and Anansi his son who passed three tests set by Nyame, and won the prize of the stories. In, How Dispute came Among the Tribe and Anansi and the Phantom Food, we have a West African flavor. In Anansi and the Pepper-pot we have a Guyana flavor. In, When Anansi’s house was on fire, and Anansi and the cricket match, we have a Jamaican flavor, while in many stories like Anansi and the plantains, and Anansi and Tiger go fishing, the locale is neutral. There is also Brer Rabbit and the Tar baby, a Georgia folktale.

The second part of the collection really complements the first because it is informative and discusses the origin, pervasiveness, characteristics and use of animal imagery in Anansi stories. The significance of the trickster archetype in cultural and religious stories worldwide is discussed and the importance of folktales as a reflection of humanity and as teaching tools.

This book is simply a must read not only for every Guyanese or Caribbean national, but for all Africans in the diaspora who want to reconnect with this aspect of our oral culture.