Anansi
One of the most beloved Spirits in West African, Obeah and Caribbean culture is Anansi. Also known as Aunt Nancy, Anancy, Hapanzi or Nanzi. His name is given to by the Akan people whose character has become famous throughout Africa and beyond. It is said that He is beloved because of His insight, intelligence, and wisdom. He is indeed one of the most-important figures in the Akan's Abosom pantheon.
A Popular Spirit
His popularity heighten in America and internationally by the TV series "American Gods," this trickster god appears in a number of West African folktales with the ability to shape-shift into the appearance of a man and most famously a spider. His importance as a cultural figure is without a doubt compelling and has already made his way in DC comics and other pop cultural genres.
Anansi's tales, like all good oral lore, traveled across the seas with the people of origin. Anansi's tales came with the slave trade to North America, along with His lessons on how to out wit and raise up against the forces of opposition, and those who seek to do one harm. So potent is His lessons He was the inspiration for the Brer Rabbit and other folk tales. Without a doubt Anansi represents the lessons and strength of maintaining cultural identity, resilience and knowing and remembering who you are as a people.
Anansi's tales, like all good oral lore, traveled across the seas with the people of origin. Anansi's tales came with the slave trade to North America, along with His lessons on how to out wit and raise up against the forces of opposition, and those who seek to do one harm. So potent is His lessons He was the inspiration for the Brer Rabbit and other folk tales. Without a doubt Anansi represents the lessons and strength of maintaining cultural identity, resilience and knowing and remembering who you are as a people.
More on Anansi History
While many sources state that Anansi is an Orisha, that may not be quite right. While His Spirit has been known through out West Africa, and has seeped into Yoruba and Lwa traditions, His origins were with the Akan and with their old traditional beliefs that their collective Ancestor was a spider. These traditional beliefs are intricate within their Ancestor Spirits or their Nature Spirits pantheon that the Akan called "Abosam." The stories behind this belief have been diminished with time. The Head of the Abosam is the Supreme Creator God called Nyame. In many of the Stories Anansi and Nyame interact with each other, often as Nyame giving Anansi quests, and sending Nyame on missions to prove Himself worthy.
Offering to Anansi
Most sources and folk tales talks about how Anansi loves vegetable and fruit. The Akan is known for their yam festivals to celebrate the Nature Spirits. Today we serve this offering of cooked yams to Anansi ~ Blessed Be!