Anansi, the trickster spider, is one of the most important
characters in West African folktales and folklore. His stories
also arise in the Caribbean, South America and North America
among African diaspora populations. For African Americans, many
of the characteristics of Anansi are also found in the Br'er
Rabbit trickster character whose great skill was escaping the
trickery of his enemies. These retellings are an effort to
continue the tradition of telling these African stories. -
Vanessa Cross, author of "An Anthology of Black Folks Wit,
Wisdom and Sayings"Anansi Goes Fishing "Let's go fishing,"
suggested Anansi to a local fisherman, as he thought this would
be a great way to obtain a meal by letting the professional
fisherman do his craft. "Very well," said the fisherman, who was
also clever and wise to the ways of Anansi. "I'll make the nets
and you can rest." The fisherman made nets from a special
material he retrieved from his bag. Anansi closed his eyes for
just a moment and before he knew it the fish