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African Tricksters

The trickster tale is a favorite subgenre of folktales that is found in Africa and other cultures

Folktales are any belief or story passed on traditionally, especially one considered to be false or based on superstition.

In African trickster tales the characters come in animal form

Characteristics of African tricksters mirror the character traits and weaknesses of humans

Three of the most popular animal characters in African trickster tales are :

  • The spider (like Asante Ananse)
  • The hare (like Kikuyu Wakaboko)
  • The tortoise (like Yoruba Ájàpá)

The most well known African Trickster is...

Anansi

Anansi is a spider, but appears as a man unlike some African tricksters

This is Anansi

It is believed that The Ashanti people of West African were the first to tell the Anansi stories

It is said that the Anansi stories crossed to the Caribbean and other parts of the New World with captives via the Atlantic slave trade

In the south Anansi evolved into the character of Aunt Nancy.

In many of the Anansi stories the themes are about Anansi attempting to trick people into allowing him to steal food or money, or something else that could turn a profit, but frequently the tricks ultimately backfire on Anansi.

It is said that Anansi's stories crossed to the Caribbean and other parts of the New World with captives via the Atlantic slave trade.

Characteristics of African trickster mirror that of human characteristics

There are several animal characters that are found in African tales.

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