Anansi the Spider: a Tale from the Ashanti by Gerald McDermott

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Essential Questions for Anansi the Spider: A Tale From the Ashanti

1. What unique ability did each of Anansi’s sons have?
2. How did Anansi’s sons work together to help their father?
3. According to this folktale, how did the moon come to be?
4. What is the theme of this story?

Origin of Anansi

Tales about spiders have been found in West Africa for many years, but the Anansi stories are the most popular, as the word “Anansi” is the Akan word for “spider”. These stories have been passed from Ghana all over to The West Indies, Jamaica, Aruba, and Bonaire. Anansi has many different names such as Ananse, Ba Anansi, Kompa Nanzi, and Aunt Nancy to name a few. He is depicted in many ways, and is sometimes seen as a human man with spider-like features. In several of his stories, Ansani has a family that includes a wife named Okonore Yaa, several sons, and a beloved daughter named Anansewa.

Social Relevance of Anansi

Ansani stories were part of the oral tradition, and Ansani himself was sometimes known as the god of stories. He was often celebrated as an important symbol of slave resistance and survival, and is believed to have had an impact on the lives of the enslaved. Ansani’s tales inspired strategies to hold on to their African past, while giving them the ability to assert themselves and their identities while being confined.

Many Ansani stories have been published as children’s books, and oftentimes they instruct and inspire children and adults as much as they entertain them. Ansani has evolved from a trickster to someone who is considered a classical hero. In the Caldecott Award winning children’s book Anansi the Spider: A Tale From the Ashanti, Anansi’s six sons work together to save him from great danger. When Anansi finds a great globe of glowing light, he cannot decide who is more deserving of the prize, as they all helped him equally. Rather than giving it to one of his sons, he put the beautiful light up in the sky for all to see at night, and it still remains there today; and that is how the moon came to be.

Frequently Asked Questions about Anansi the Spider

Who is Anansi?

Anansi is a trickster from the old African folktales. He was known to get what he wants by outwitting and outsmarting those who are bigger and more powerful.

What are other Anansi the Spider stories?

Some of the other tales of Anansi include:

• Anasai and the Magic Stick
• Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock
• Anansi and the Talking Melon
• Anansi and the Golden Pot

Who are Anansi’s sons?

Anansi’s sons are: Roadbuilder, Cushion, See All, Fishcutter, Spellcaster, and Riverdrinker. They each were able to do special things.