Anansi
In West African and Caribbean folklore, this trickster god often takes the form of a spider. He is known for his intelligence, cunning, and ability to triumph over larger foes.
At a glance
- Region
- West Africa (place of origin)
- Trait family
- The Tricksters
- Symbols
- Spider
Near this figure
Symbols
Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.
- Spider is image-domain The spider denotes the weaver at the centre of its own made world, patient trap and creating grandmother alike, spinning what catches and connects.
why
In West African and Caribbean folklore, this trickster god often takes the form of a spider.
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Shapeshifts human animal
why
Rose's survey of spirits and goblins introduces Anansi as a shape-changer before it calls him anything else, and Werner's index to the Bantu material files him among the animals that take human form.
Behaviour
- Keeper of all stories
why
In many tales, Anansi is portrayed as the keeper of all stories and wisdom in the world.
- Trickster outwits larger foes
why
Anansi is celebrated for his ability to outsmart and triumph over much larger and seemingly more powerful adversaries.
Utility powers
- Trickery and cunning
why
Known for his exceptional intelligence, quick wit, and cunning nature, Anansi is celebrated for his ability to outsmart and triumph over much larger and seemingly more powerful adversaries.
- Knowledge bestowal
why
Legend has it that he bargained with the sky god Nyame to obtain all the world's knowledge, which he then shared with humanity.
- Shapeshifting
why
Rose's survey of spirits and goblins introduces Anansi as a shape-changer before it calls him anything else, and Werner's index to the Bantu material files him among the animals that take human form.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Trickster carries both readings
1 citation
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Anansi."