Anansi

Anansi is one of the most important and famous gods of west African lore. He is a trickster and a culture hero, who acts on behalf of Nyame (his father, the sky god) and brings rain to stop fires and performing other duties for him. His mother is Asase Ya. There are several mentions of Anansi's children. According to some myths his wife is known as Miss Anansi or Mistress Anansi. Eventually, Anansi was replaced by a chameleon.

Related Topics:
West Africa - Trickster - Culture hero - Nyame - Rain - Fire - Asase Ya - Chameleon

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He is depicted in numerous forms: a spider, a human or combinations thereof.

Related Topics:
Spider - Human

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The Anansi legends are believed to have originated in the Ashanti tribe. They later spread to other Akan groups and then to Jamaica, Suriname, and the Netherlands Antilles. On Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire he is known as Nanzi, and his wife as Shi Maria.

Related Topics:
Ashanti - Akan - Jamaica - Suriname

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