In African folklore, Anansi is one of the most spoken about characters. His stories are believed to be originated from the Ashanti tribe in modern day Gold Coast or Ghana, which later spread across the continent. In the past few centuries, however, they reached all the way till Caribbeans via the evil of slave trade. Known as the trickster God, Anansi appears as an eight legged man-spider or spider-man (don't confuse with Peter Parker). Anansi is considered to be mischievous and causes great trouble for his father Nyame- the sky god. Readers waiting for Avenger: End Game can draw the parallels here with Odin and Loki.
It is said that in the beginning of everything, there were no stories in the world. They were all locked up in a large box by Nyame in his sky palace. Anansi, gifted with the crafts of weaving and smooth talking, flattered Nyame with his pleasant manners and the silken strings he weaved to reach the sky palace. He requested Nyame to allow him access to all the stories he had locked up. Nyame, in turn, put three impossible conditions for him to fulfill. Anansi was tasked with capturing the three deadliest beasts- Onini the Python, Osebo the Leopard, and the Mmoboro Hornets.
On advice of his wise wife Aso, Anansi laid traps for all the three one by one. He approached Onini the python and began arguing over the measurement of his true length. He tricked Onini into straightening along a palm tree branch for measurement. Thus, Anansi tied and captured the python by toying with his jealousy.
Then, he dug a hole for Osebo the leopard and covered it up with dry leaves. When the leopard finally fell in the pit, Anansi offered him his web strings to hold and come out. The more Osebo struggled, the more he got entangled in strings. Thus, Anansi captured the leopard by offering help.
Finally, for Mmoboro the hornets, Anansi took one Calabash (type of a bottle gourd) and hollowed it out. Then he took some water in a banana leaf, sprinkled some on himself and threw the rest on the hornets' nest. The hornets all came out angrily to attack this giant spider, but Anansi showed them instead the wet banana leaf and conjured up a story about an upcoming rainstorm. Along with the piece of news, Anansi suggested the hornets a safe place till rain showers passed- the hollowed bottle gourd. Worried and beguiled, hornets entered the gourd as Anansi sealed it shut. Thus, Anansi captured the hornets by his falsehood.
He took the three captured beasts to his father, who was greatly surprised by the events. Nyame, being true to his word, grudgingly handed over all the stories in the world to Anansi. And thus, through his wit, will and wisdom, Anansi became the God of Storytelling. Anansi stories are famous across the African settlers across the globe in many variations. Some versions portray him as an untrustworthy God. The one who appears to people in need as a friend, but only entraps them further with jealousy, debt or falsehood. Other versions paint him as a god of his own mind, neither evil nor good, just the trickster God.
But in almost all these versions, he is a deity gifted with the powers of weaving threads (textile) and as a keeper of stories. Or allow me to call him- a weaver of stories. As I mark today the 50th milestone in this journey of weaving stories in 2019, I find it a fitting honor to write one on the God of Storytelling himself.
I am writing these stories to spread the sheer joy they bring to mankind. Stories have the power to inform, inspire, feel and heal. If either of my stories so far has made you feel anything, request you to share it on your WhatsApp status/ social media and spread this movement further. As always, looking for your kind and constructive feedback and divine blessings. See you soon with a new story.
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