Anansi the Spider: Spider that gave knowledge & wisdom to Ashanti people
“The Myth of Anansi the Spider” is a traditional African folktale that has been passed down through generations in various forms across West Africa, particularly among the Ashanti people of Ghana.
It tells the story of Anansi, a clever and cunning spider who often finds himself in tricky situations and uses his wit to overcome them. Here is a version of the story:
Once upon a time, in a small village deep within the heart of West Africa, there lived a mischievous and cunning spider named Anansi.
Anansi was known throughout the land for his intelligence and cleverness. He was also a skilled storyteller, and his tales were the source of great entertainment and wisdom for the villagers.
One day, the village was suffering from a severe drought. The sun blazed relentlessly, and the crops withered away. The people were hungry and desperate for a solution.
Anansi, being both clever and concerned for his fellow villagers, decided to seek help from Nyame, the Sky God.
Anansi spun a web high into the sky, reaching up to the heavens. He climbed up the web, using all his strength and determination.
When he reached the realm of Nyame, he found the Sky God sitting on a magnificent throne, looking down upon the world below.
“Great Nyame,” Anansi said, “I have come to ask for your assistance. Our village is suffering from a terrible drought, and we need your help to bring rain and save our crops.”
Nyame looked down at Anansi and said, “I am willing to help, but only if you can bring me the Onini, the great and fierce python, and the Osebo, the mighty leopard. They have been causing havoc in my kingdom, and I wish to rid the world of their menace.”
Anansi, though taken aback by the challenge, agreed to Nyame’s request. He descended from the heavens and returned to the village, where he devised a cunning plan.
He knew he could not overpower the python and leopard by strength alone, so he decided to use his intelligence.
First, Anansi visited Onini the python. He fashioned a gourd into a bowl and filled it with strong, intoxicating palm wine. He placed it near Onini’s lair and waited.
When Onini emerged and saw the delicious palm wine, he couldn’t resist. He drank and drank until he was completely drunk and fell into a deep sleep. Anansi then tied him up with strong vines.
Next, Anansi went to Osebo the leopard. He found a beehive and carefully collected the angry bees. He placed the beehive in a tree near Osebo’s den and provoked the bees, making them swarm angrily. Osebo, stung by the bees, ran away in pain and fear.
With both Onini and Osebo captured, Anansi presented them to Nyame. Impressed with Anansi’s cleverness, Nyame rewarded him by granting the village the rain they so desperately needed.
From that day on, Anansi was hailed as a hero in the village, and his stories were told and retold to remind everyone of the power of cleverness and resourcefulness.
Anansi’s cunning and wisdom became legendary, and he continued to use his intelligence to navigate the challenges and adventures that came his way.
And so, the myth of Anansi the Spider lives on, teaching us that intelligence and cleverness can be powerful tools to overcome even the most daunting challenges in life.
