The Messed Up Origins™ of Anansi the Spider | African Folklore Explained - Jon Solo

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  • Опубликовано: 6 окт 2024

Комментарии • 2,2 тыс.

  • @swwaaaaaturnright
    @swwaaaaaturnright 3 года назад +2198

    I grew up with this folklore in Jamaica. We even had many school books with "Bredda (Brother) Ansani" stories. 🇯🇲🇯🇲

    • @aniyahgilbert8521
      @aniyahgilbert8521 3 года назад +128

      Yes , during the cultural festival period in Trinidad 🇹🇹, Anansi the spider often times always one of the Folklore stories .
      Anansi always doing somebody something in his stories.

    • @way2kool89
      @way2kool89 3 года назад +66

      My grandma use to tell me anansi bed time stories, I use to think it was her made up stories lol until I got older and learned about him

    • @thegeekyelf
      @thegeekyelf 3 года назад +27

      I read so many books, so quickly while growing mum used to rake through the books at jumbles sales for anything I hadn't read - this story/book is one I will forever remember and always has a place in my heart

    • @Ladiabless1980
      @Ladiabless1980 3 года назад +19

      @@aniyahgilbert8521 🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹

    • @asheniza1168
      @asheniza1168 3 года назад +39

      As a Jamaican, I also grew with these stories

  • @thatnaturegirl1349
    @thatnaturegirl1349 3 года назад +726

    One Ananse story my grandma told me about was that Ananse pretended to be dead and specifically requested to be buried in a farm just so he could steal food 😂

    • @Charliexboy
      @Charliexboy 3 года назад +6

      I was told that story

    • @SmartStart24
      @SmartStart24 3 года назад +34

      Lmao Anansi was definitely chaotic 😂

    • @ladieleo27
      @ladieleo27 3 года назад +4

      That’s one of my favorites too

    • @jacintaayivor5694
      @jacintaayivor5694 3 года назад +8

      I like the one where he Ananse wanted all wisdom and another with his three kids

    • @mistaidgaf9166
      @mistaidgaf9166 3 года назад +2

      Finding the food aroma was my favorite

  • @lexied7317
    @lexied7317 3 года назад +554

    In Jamaica, they teach us about Anansi in Basic and Primary school. The stories were always clever and funny.
    Pretty cool that you made a video about him.

    • @JonSolo
      @JonSolo  3 года назад +76

      that's so cool! glad you liked the video :)

    • @dualpromaxgamingandmemes7635
      @dualpromaxgamingandmemes7635 3 года назад +10

      @@JonSolo plz do an episode on pirates of the carrabeans🥺

    • @sarahtriboix-kamga416
      @sarahtriboix-kamga416 3 года назад +6

      Same in UK

    • @lexied7317
      @lexied7317 3 года назад +6

      @@sarahtriboix-kamga416 i didn't know that! 😮awesome!

    • @gerardrbain1972
      @gerardrbain1972 3 года назад +11

      The first time I heard about Anansi I was a seven year old second grader attending a Catholic primary school in The Bahamas, by my teacher Mrs Richards. This was almost 42 years ago six years after our country gained our independence from the United Kingdom. I guess that was Mrs Richards' way of contributing to the decolonisation process.

  • @ebenezerdadzie2446
    @ebenezerdadzie2446 3 года назад +577

    As a Ghanaian who knows these tales too well, this is spot on. The name "Kweku" doesnt mean "Father" but a day name given to children born on Wednesday.

  • @Babyvalkyie
    @Babyvalkyie 3 года назад +596

    Im African American was lucky enough that my grandma exposed us to and taught us about different African cultures. When I was around 10, she took me and my siblings to go hear a Griot. My favorite memory....he told us tales of Anansi and im still captivated at 30.

    • @MarvelousPhilly
      @MarvelousPhilly 3 года назад +6

      I had similar experiences. My father's older sister (who are from Africa) told my brother and I stories of Anansi when we were kids.

    • @joshparsons7631
      @joshparsons7631 3 года назад +9

      Mr. Nancy (Anansi) was 1 of the best characters on American gods. My favorite scene is him appearing on the boat and telling the slaves what they had to look forward to in the Americas.
      That scene stole the show man. I think that's why they didn't have him back.

    • @revelation3nine606
      @revelation3nine606 3 года назад

      White men named Africa and America and you “Rocky StClair” your vocally and mentally theirs. Denounce oppression in all forms. Only the truth shall set you free if you are a descendent of slaves according to Deuteronomy 28:68 Genesis 15:13 you are a Hebrew Israelites that bloodline is above the rest. Embrace truth history and the Bible- that’s your book the whole world reading. Matthew 15:24

    • @Babyvalkyie
      @Babyvalkyie 3 года назад +6

      @@revelation3nine606 But the Bible was used to....it was written by....nvm. You absolutely right 🤣

    • @revelation3nine606
      @revelation3nine606 3 года назад

      @@Babyvalkyie all praises to the Most High you know your story hidden in his story 😊

  • @crissysupersweetislandgirl1566
    @crissysupersweetislandgirl1566 3 года назад +261

    I'm Trinidadian 🇹🇹 and it's awesome to finally see an African folklore story on your channel.

    • @preedy_toni1255
      @preedy_toni1255 3 года назад +4

      Facts yes

    • @quincy9908
      @quincy9908 3 года назад +3

      🇺🇸👌🏾😎faxx
      I been waiting for this time to come.

    • @saintmelanin1779
      @saintmelanin1779 3 года назад

      🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹🇹

    • @noneyabuizness
      @noneyabuizness 3 года назад

      He did braer rabbit awhile ago.

    • @Rockskull909
      @Rockskull909 3 года назад +2

      There are thousands...trapped with history to be unlocked & understand...think about all our own folklore right here within Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹

  • @penguin-schluppstudio
    @penguin-schluppstudio 3 года назад +588

    Jon: I hate spiders.
    Also Jon: Okay, this spider is cool

    • @kevin4gwen
      @kevin4gwen 3 года назад +13

      Completely understand that comment... I don't like spiders either yet I like Spider-Man

    • @RedRoseSeptember22
      @RedRoseSeptember22 3 года назад +7

      @@kevin4gwen Same lol.

    • @bolomanx
      @bolomanx 3 года назад +5

      Same, I love Lucas the spider, but hate them irl

  • @leehingd7756
    @leehingd7756 3 года назад +181

    I'm Jamaican and I grew up on Anansi stories. I am so thankful that we have still kept that link to our West African ancestors. It is interesting how story telling than connect you to a place you have never been to. No wonder i feel so drawn to my Ghanaian brothers and sisters.

  • @preciouscaroline7446
    @preciouscaroline7446 3 года назад +320

    It’s great to finally see my country’s folklore being talked about. Just a small correction: Kwaku Anansi doesn’t mean father spider. ‘Kwaku’ is a name given to males that are born on Wednesday. Think of it as a nickname of sorts.

    • @TheSportyspice8
      @TheSportyspice8 3 года назад +12

      As a person with a day name being told to think of it as a nickname…… ouch

    • @lydk2146
      @lydk2146 3 года назад +13

      Ghana fuo ye wo Krom 🇬🇭

    • @pikachuneoncat6480
      @pikachuneoncat6480 3 года назад +3

      That's kinda specific.

    • @TheSportyspice8
      @TheSportyspice8 3 года назад +9

      @@pikachuneoncat6480 there’s a name for every day, for the different genders with slight variations in tribe

    • @pikachuneoncat6480
      @pikachuneoncat6480 3 года назад +3

      @@TheSportyspice8 Huh, interesting.

  • @anyatheoverlord6758
    @anyatheoverlord6758 3 года назад +63

    I loved Anansi stories as a kid❤️🇯🇲. Shout out to our Ghanaian ancestors for so much of our culture 🇬🇭.

  • @fallenangel2870
    @fallenangel2870 3 года назад +1355

    Jon: *talks about Anansi*
    Me *is Ghanian*: Ladies and gents, this is the moment you’ve waited for
    Note: TYSM for the likes ✨✨

  • @osiris8942
    @osiris8942 3 года назад +303

    Wow I’m from Ghana, grew up learning about Ananse and this is incredibly spot on, good job 👍🏾

    • @1000SubsPlzzz
      @1000SubsPlzzz 3 года назад +2

      Same!!

    • @simplegirlsolutions8296
      @simplegirlsolutions8296 3 года назад +3

      I’m from the United States. We learned about it in elementary school. Every year they would tell us the story during culture month. That’s when everyone would come in and teach people about where they are from. I loved it because we got to eat food from all over the world and the stories were amazing.

    • @CRAZyLittleMeMe
      @CRAZyLittleMeMe 3 года назад +1

      @@simplegirlsolutions8296 good they teach children stories but i wish they would tell more about our real human stories, Africa isn't just children stories ya know ? I'm ivorian

    • @_se3_thru9h_9
      @_se3_thru9h_9 3 года назад

      🇬🇭 I know what each colour on the Ghanian flag means. Red means sacrifice
      Yellow means gold and riches
      Green means greenery and plants and the star means union. I lived in Ghana for 2 years. I still remember that. I only was told this once. I was listening in class

  • @lillyyarney67
    @lillyyarney67 3 года назад +142

    As a Ghanaian American I appreciate the effort and research and accuracy of Anansi. Also I enjoyed the stories you picked.

  • @amazinglynn
    @amazinglynn 3 года назад +163

    Jon Solo is officially invited to the cookout. Just bring the cups

  • @monelwookie1
    @monelwookie1 3 года назад +22

    My husband is from Ghana 🇬🇭 and is actually working on a reimagined version of the epic tales of Kweku Anansi. I am from Guyana 🇬🇾 and we have our version of "nancy" stories there too. This episode was such a surprise!

  • @Silentbob1494
    @Silentbob1494 3 года назад +117

    I had NO idea Anansi was in Static Shock, and i now have a whole new level of respect for that show.

    • @floydmichaelmoss
      @floydmichaelmoss 3 года назад +5

      The episode is called static in Africa

    • @mackenzierivercasey6752
      @mackenzierivercasey6752 3 года назад +3

      Holy crap I'm from Canada and LOVEEDDD THAT SHOW! I totally forgot about it! Are you from Canada too? Or was it in the states also?! So curious lol!

    • @mangodango1733
      @mangodango1733 3 года назад +4

      Static shock is THE most under appreciated show DC had during that era they addressed everything from racism homelessness home abuse and even fuckin GUNS
      That show really gave me a lot to carry through life

    • @byronrush9802
      @byronrush9802 3 года назад +1

      I know him from that episode and a episode of gargoyles

  • @kavenebailey7310
    @kavenebailey7310 3 года назад +134

    I was so surprised to see The Stories of Anansi. I'm from the Caribbean so hearing Anansi stories is a key component to growing up. Some of my best memories with my late Grandma are sitting down by her feet and hearing Anansi stories. This brought back alot of great memories. Thanks for that.

    • @kavenebailey7310
      @kavenebailey7310 3 года назад +6

      🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲

    • @jameelabdullah2472
      @jameelabdullah2472 3 года назад +2

      🇹🇹 🇹🇹 🇹🇹

    • @louise-yo7kz
      @louise-yo7kz 3 года назад +2

      A lot of us had Anansi stories. Brer Anansi 🇦🇬

    • @blessedcocoa5729
      @blessedcocoa5729 2 года назад +1

      Anansi stories are just apart of a Caribbean childhood.🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧🇧

  • @afuaamanobeaaddo-yobo249
    @afuaamanobeaaddo-yobo249 3 года назад +123

    As a Ghanaian, this was so great to watch. That being said I do have a few comments
    1. The name Kweku Ananse actually draws attention to the fact that he is born on a Wednesday, in Ghana almost every ethnic group has names for boys and girls respectively depending on the day they were born, Kwaku or Kweku is for a boy born on Wednesday in the Akan tribe.
    2. This is more of a variation than a correction but in some stories, Anansi gathered wisdom as a man, not a god, because he wanted it all for himself and also for the whipping story some tales say the one rule was for Anasi to never wash the bowl because it could clean itself
    3. Some authors wrote their own stories based on this character. I would recommend the marriage of Anansewaa by Efua T. Sutherland and Ananse in the Land of Idiots.
    Nevertheless, this video was amazing and brought a smile to my face, I can't wait to see more of such content in the future

    • @daniellaboateng1327
      @daniellaboateng1327 3 года назад +2

      Same

    • @JonSolo
      @JonSolo  3 года назад +40

      Hey, so glad to hear you liked this one! It's always a little intimidating covering a new culture but I'm glad to hear we did a decent job. Thanks for informing us about those variations!

    • @Celtaline
      @Celtaline 3 года назад +1

      Exactly

    • @harshyt7971
      @harshyt7971 3 года назад +2

      Akan clan not just Ashantis***

    • @Celtaline
      @Celtaline 3 года назад +3

      @@harshyt7971 Ashantis are Akans

  • @PeaceofthePlans
    @PeaceofthePlans 3 года назад +65

    I'm a professional storyteller and Anansi is one of my favorite characters. When I share Anansi stories with children and adults I always change the killing endings to something a little less graphic like the person or animal was chased or ran away and was never heard from again. I'm African American by birth, mostly Ghanian by DNA. Maybe that's why I'm always drawn to Anansi stories. Great video. Very informative.

  • @Vampirelilianfitzroy
    @Vampirelilianfitzroy 3 года назад +79

    I freaking adored Orlando and his portrayal of this amazing spider god, this poor actor was done dirty for playing the god as “too angry”
    It’s funny how most of his characters monologues were about how the black man was treated by society and the producers went and proved him right.

    • @xvq4626
      @xvq4626 3 года назад +6

      Yet they are okay with having a black sex goddess on the show who only purpose is to have sex to stay relevant.

    • @Vampirelilianfitzroy
      @Vampirelilianfitzroy 3 года назад +13

      @@xvq4626 Well society does have a nasty habit of sexualizing women and girls of color,
      Where as they are highly uncomfortable being rightfully called out by anyone of color as Jones character does in this show

    • @esosequees2365
      @esosequees2365 2 года назад

      I'm so mad I missed this comment... but I'm here now... and you are so right

    • @quizzyquandadon9289
      @quizzyquandadon9289 2 года назад +2

      I was lookin for this comment, soon as they took him off I stopped watching

    • @danielpycha3514
      @danielpycha3514 Год назад

      @@Vampirelilianfitzroy No, I don't know, nor heard about any white man or female sexualizing women of color, and I heard quite a few incidents when in the rare case some Caucasian, Mexican or Asian people were threatened and abused by people of color just for dating one of them.

  • @nathanieleagleson5676
    @nathanieleagleson5676 3 года назад +323

    Me: Smiles in satisfaction at the way Jon pronounces some Ghanaian words
    Also me: correcting him like he can even hear me

    • @MarieLaureQuayson
      @MarieLaureQuayson 3 года назад +10

      Looool he tried

    • @Celtaline
      @Celtaline 3 года назад +3

      Ikr 😂😂😂

    • @GabboTheFabbo
      @GabboTheFabbo 3 года назад +1

      @@MarieLaureQuayson barely lol

    • @logophile2504
      @logophile2504 3 года назад +6

      @@MarieLaureQuayson can you do an anansi storytelling video? With your voice it would be pure bliss and will get so many views and help other ppl get into Ghanaian folklore

    • @MarieLaureQuayson
      @MarieLaureQuayson 3 года назад +1

      @@logophile2504 haha really?

  • @NichelleShow
    @NichelleShow 3 года назад +66

    I literally can watch these videos forever. The way he tells the stories and about the god/goddess from different cultures is just *chefs kiss*

  • @demdaniizzz
    @demdaniizzz 3 года назад +229

    I've been waiting for this one I've been hearing this folklore since I was young 🇯🇲

    • @Solar.Goddess
      @Solar.Goddess 3 года назад +10

      Same in Surinam 🙌🏽

    • @maryelizabeth5034
      @maryelizabeth5034 3 года назад +10

      Same 🇯🇲😁

    • @BlackCherryBabe
      @BlackCherryBabe 3 года назад +6

      Same in Barbados 🇧🇧 Favourite stories in primary school.

    • @meatabogan2871
      @meatabogan2871 3 года назад +4

      @@Solar.Goddess Same!

    • @nmoney6655
      @nmoney6655 3 года назад +2

      @@BlackCherryBabe I want some South American mythology next

  • @boomcylou
    @boomcylou 2 года назад +9

    Saint Lucian here 🇱🇨🇱🇨 we had this clever/mischievous spider in our textbooks growing up and there was even an academic competition called Anansi's Challenge. Thanks for covering him 🙌🏾

  • @AuthorLHollingsworth
    @AuthorLHollingsworth 2 года назад +18

    Thank you Job Solo for telling stories about African deities. There are so many people that only discuss European history which is okay, but we Diaspora Africans / Africans have stories, too. Again, thank you!

  • @deanna-may3043
    @deanna-may3043 3 года назад +60

    As a Jamaican Anansi stories were a big part of my childhood. My primary school teachers had an Anansi story for everything.

    • @neoandroid8586
      @neoandroid8586 3 года назад

      Can you share any stories?

    • @deanna-may3043
      @deanna-may3043 3 года назад +5

      @@neoandroid8586
      You can find lots of Jamaica anansi stories in The "Doctor Bird Reading Series".
      My personal favorite is one where he used his cunning traits to outwit others. That story with Brer Turtle, after Brer Anancy tricked Brother Turtle by telling him to go wash his hand before dinner. And when Brer Turtle was gone Anancy ate all the food. But Brer Turtle invited Anancy to dinner too and found a way to send Anancy home hungry. Another day he entered a porridge drinking competition with Brer Tiger, Brer Lion and Brer Dog. They wanted to see who could drink the hot porridge fastest. So Brer Anansi put his porridge out in the sun and said he wanted his porridge to be hotter than the rest. So all the other contestants hurried and drank their hot porridge, it was so hot it burned them and they took a long time to drink it . They didn't know that Brer Ananci's porridge was not getting hotter. When it was Brer Anancy's time to drink, he finished drinking in a shorter time than the rest and won the competition.
      You usually hear that one being told around Jamaica day or during black history month, or if one had older teachers in rural areas like I did, you would hear them everyday at reading time.

    • @bluestar3931
      @bluestar3931 3 года назад +3

      @@deanna-may3043 Anansi's stories are all Ghanaian. Jamaica has many roots in Ghana

    • @deanna-may3043
      @deanna-may3043 3 года назад +2

      @@bluestar3931 yes, especially from the Ashanti

    • @bluestar3931
      @bluestar3931 3 года назад +3

      @@deanna-may3043 Yup

  • @gisygsandy1655
    @gisygsandy1655 3 года назад +54

    OMG I clicked on this as soon as the i saw the title! Anansi the spider is a legend in the Caribbean and allllllllll of them were a metaphor on how not to be stupid or getting ahead of yourself. my favourite story is the wedding parties

  • @zariat6232
    @zariat6232 3 года назад +112

    Yasssss omg finally I’ve been waiting for this since I started watching you! I remember having an African story teller coming to my elementary school every year to tell us stories of Anansi the spider 🕷

  • @TheAaronFerreira
    @TheAaronFerreira 3 года назад +18

    Jon you may never see this since it's a month old now, but I wanted to say that I think it's absolutely freaking cool that Anansi has featured in both American Horror Story and American Gods and they got the same actor to play him both times. The shows aren't connected and are on different networks and the dude did so well he got to be him both times.

  • @oseiedwards5613
    @oseiedwards5613 3 года назад +10

    Thank you so much for this video. I live in Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean and because our families are descendants of slave and predominantly from Ghana and other west African countries, I grew up hearing these stories, especially from my late, great grand mother. There were slight differences in the stories I heard though. For example, I vividly don't remember any killing in any of the stories. The snake was tricked with a bamboo stem and Anansi tricked him easily by tying his head and body to the bamboo and he caught the fairy with a tar baby. basically a figure covered in Tar so the fairy stuck when she hit it. So, there were slight alterations. Definitely no murder. But always entertaining and educational.

  • @stagelinedpro
    @stagelinedpro 3 года назад +200

    One Anansi story I remember as a kid was when he swindled his turtle friend out of a meal, and the turtle got his revenge by doing the same to him the next day.

    • @gaiasguardian205
      @gaiasguardian205 3 года назад +10

      I think there's a Cajun version of that, but the turtle became the soup. 🐢🍵

    • @dualpromaxgamingandmemes7635
      @dualpromaxgamingandmemes7635 3 года назад +1

      100 likes dude, good job

    • @jorenbosmans8065
      @jorenbosmans8065 3 года назад +3

      Not sure if it would be a similar story, but the Lowlands have a story of a Fox more mocking a Stork by inviting it for soup and Serving it on a plate, which makes it impossible to eat from for the Stork. The Stork gets back at the Fox by inviting him and Serving the soup In a talk glass which is impossible to eat it from for the Fox.

    • @revenantronin8377
      @revenantronin8377 3 года назад +2

      He tricked the crab into given up his head over to Ananse. Basically, the Crab was said to have had a humanoid head with a brain and ould walk straight. Ananse managed to trick him into giving it to him, and of course Ananse put it on lol. 5 head
      In another version, He stole wisdom from God using his trusty gourds to hold said wisdom. You can look up Ananse and the wisdom pot, I don't know if it's online though, It was told to me as a kid. In the end he became the smartest being in existence, that's where all other side stories with him outsmarting others came from.

    • @sakoiya7608
      @sakoiya7608 3 года назад

      the underwater meal right?

  • @delilahdahlia247
    @delilahdahlia247 3 года назад +323

    This is one of the only African stories I actually know, so this was neat.
    Edit: I guess I should of said African characters I know, since I only know a couple of stories

    • @strawhat_moses4079
      @strawhat_moses4079 3 года назад +7

      This isn’t even the best story of my culture

    • @cursedclover1339
      @cursedclover1339 3 года назад +19

      @@HighiamDave damn why so cynical, I want others to learn of African culture. although I’m of Nubian decent I love west African history am I wrong for that??

    • @cursedclover1339
      @cursedclover1339 3 года назад +14

      @@strawhat_moses4079 west African folklore is crazy, it’s very weird it’s never explored just like Nubian mythology.

    • @strawhat_moses4079
      @strawhat_moses4079 3 года назад +2

      @@cursedclover1339 I’ve been studying Nubian and west African mythology since I was 16

    • @cursedclover1339
      @cursedclover1339 3 года назад +9

      @@HighiamDave maybe it’s a nice refresher and it’s nobody’s responsibility to learn everything about our culture I like god of war 4 should I completely immerse into Norse mythology, no and what does race have to do with anything your starting issues where there are none.

  • @dragoness7181
    @dragoness7181 3 года назад +153

    This video brought me back to my elementary school years. I read so many Anansi stories, The character’s personality is probably the reason I like spiders so much. It made them less scary🕷 🖤

    • @michelledodson3130
      @michelledodson3130 3 года назад +4

      Oh my goodness! Same:)

    • @tigerlilybolt
      @tigerlilybolt 3 года назад +3

      Where did you guys go to school?

    • @barbarahouk1983
      @barbarahouk1983 3 года назад +2

      Hmm, I wonder if part of the reason the character was a spider is because so many are afraid of spiders? You just said it made you less afraid.
      Let's just say my terror of spiders is down to a healthy respect for their venom now. This is after years of the study of zoology including the arachnids. I avoid them if possible and rehome them when ever possible. If they stay hidden in this 165 yo house, may they live a nice , but separate life from me. If seen, they get rehomed to an out building.

  • @tty23
    @tty23 2 года назад +11

    As an African American, A story A story: Anansi the Spider man was one of my favorite books and I've always loved the artwork in it. The human version of Anansi is the one I always imagine.

  • @Sundji
    @Sundji 3 года назад +53

    I've always wanted to name my son Anansi because of how impactful these stories were to my development. As a child of African immigrants, it helped me validate that the African diaspora is all connected. It also made me proud to be smart and motivated me to always try to think of a clever solution.

    • @cobya3822
      @cobya3822 3 года назад +5

      Please don’t 😂😂
      As a fellow Ghanaian, Im 100% sure most Ghanaians would find it weird. It’s like naming your child ‘Deadpool’ because you like comics about him😂
      I am happy that these stories it inspired you.

    • @cobya3822
      @cobya3822 3 года назад +6

      I showed my uncle your comment and this is what he said:
      Yes in all the stories Ananse is smart and witty but it doesn’t end him well. He’s always find out and shamed.
      In our local parlance you are nicknamed Ananse when you are always want to take advantage of the situation to cheat which will be found latter.
      For Africans your name depicts your behavior but the western world it may be different

    • @Sundji
      @Sundji 3 года назад +1

      @@cobya3822 In the western version of Anansi he was always the wisest and bestowed that wisdom upon others.

    • @Sundji
      @Sundji 3 года назад

      @@cobya3822 I will. I'm not Ghanian and Deadpool is not at all synonymous with Anansi.

    • @carlayittey9540
      @carlayittey9540 3 года назад +1

      @@cobya3822 I'm also Ghanaian and it's not all the time it ends bad sometimes he saves the whole village

  • @CasualV1ewer
    @CasualV1ewer 3 года назад +131

    This was the one of the first protagonists I got in a play
    Also as a Ghanaian, it's nice to see our folklore get some spotlight

  • @minna4
    @minna4 3 года назад +84

    I'm so happy you covered this, Jon. As a Ghanaian I grew up with these stories and it's so great to hear it from others 🇬🇭

    • @_se3_thru9h_9
      @_se3_thru9h_9 3 года назад

      I wore something made out of kente for a very special occasion. Just realised I still have it

  • @MarieLaureQuayson
    @MarieLaureQuayson 3 года назад +117

    Wow, as a Ghanaian, I really appreciate this. Totally didn’t expect this 😅

    • @_se3_thru9h_9
      @_se3_thru9h_9 3 года назад

      Even though I’m not Ghanian, I lived in Ghana for two years. I just remembered all the good times I had in my folklore class back there just by seeing the title. I realised how much I miss Ghana.

  • @gabe5831
    @gabe5831 3 года назад +15

    Hi, I'm from the Netherlands Antilles (Curacao specifically,) and we have stories of Anansi here as well. Though we call him Kompa Nanzi instead. He's pretty popular in children's books and sometimes you can find local artists drawing him (myself, included.) The story that reminded me of him was the one with the soup, though he had no children and was the sole receiver of the beating, along with another animal. (Haven't read the story in a while, so forgive some of my mistakes.) And ironically, Anansi was also the one who inspired me to become a storyteller myself too. So yeah, it's neat to learn where also has influence in the Carribean. ^v^

  • @Ristotle101
    @Ristotle101 3 года назад +5

    Anansi! I'm from Suriname and we learn about Ba'Anansi and Ma'Akuba and his 6 children over here as well! Feeling proud to see you cover this.

  • @latifasalam4706
    @latifasalam4706 3 года назад +5

    I'm Ghanaian and am happy you made this video

  • @hope1982
    @hope1982 3 года назад +36

    thanks for this Jon, my aunt used to tell me stories about Anansi when I was younger. It used to be my favourite time of day, helping her make dinner and her telling me all these stories!!!

  • @neeeeeeerrrrrrd
    @neeeeeeerrrrrrd 3 года назад +50

    Anansi was my favorite folklore! I’m also from West Africa and this was enjoyable when I was a kid and now even though I didn’t here it from my family members. I heard it in a TV show.

    • @blackrose30333
      @blackrose30333 3 года назад +3

      Gargoyles?
      There is an episode about Anansi the spider

    • @neeeeeeerrrrrrd
      @neeeeeeerrrrrrd 3 года назад +1

      @@blackrose30333 Yes! Thank you!

  • @lawrenceakainyah-jectey
    @lawrenceakainyah-jectey 3 года назад +9

    I'm glad to finally see this video, as I'm certain other Ghanaian viewers are. I love this series and I've been waiting for an episode like this for so long 😁. I am sure other Ghanaian viewers will appreciate how difficult it is to get adequate records of these folk tales since they were mostly passed down orally.
    Since this is going to be an ongoing series, I would like to point out a few things:
    6:28 - You stated that "Kweku Ananse" means Father Spider. That could be as a result of varied sources, but I think this is also worth mentioning...
    The name "Kwaku" or "Kweku" is the natal name of a male born on a Wednesday in Akan culture (Asantes are among the many Akan groups from Ghana).
    The "Father Spider" name rather comes from Ananse's other attribute "Agya Ananse" (Agya = Father)
    Also, Spider Stories are known as Anansesem (Anansi-sèm).
    "-sem" comes from "nsem" which means words or stories, in this context.
    Great job on the video❤

  • @Sherrykurah
    @Sherrykurah 3 года назад +12

    Oooh African myth/folklore is so rich!! I bet you’d have fun with the series. And tons of similarities between it, Norse and Greek myth.
    As an African, I can say I’m excited.

  • @2ndround415
    @2ndround415 3 года назад +56

    My parents are Jamaican and we had anansi books! One of my favourite as an adult is the Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

    • @YourQueerGreatAuntie
      @YourQueerGreatAuntie 3 года назад +4

      I love Anansi Boys too! And I read the story of Anansi and the Sky God in a Ladybird book. One of my favourites! (P.S. grew up in Ireland, so thank you Ladybird!)

    • @2ndround415
      @2ndround415 3 года назад +1

      @@YourQueerGreatAuntie I loved Anansi Boys, I should probably re-read it

    • @Pynkfoxx_
      @Pynkfoxx_ 3 года назад

      Saameee ☺️my mom had those book as well with all my original fables and rhyme books

  • @gabbie5931
    @gabbie5931 3 года назад +60

    damn jon you're making me miss the motherland now

  • @jordon4657
    @jordon4657 3 года назад +56

    In jamaican primary school we would always be told anancy stories, I espesially remember the third one about the magical plate the main difference though was that the plate was a pot and the rule was that it couldn't be washed. I'm really glad you coverd anancy since it was a big part of my childhood

  • @MooseImoose
    @MooseImoose 3 года назад +19

    I'm Nigerian, and I was told a few Anansi stories as a kid too - good times 😭

  • @ginnyjollykidd
    @ginnyjollykidd 2 года назад +9

    Hey, Jon! I'm sure there are plenty of stories and fables from Africa, and I want to hear from as many as you can muster. I think your channel will last a long time.

  • @BitchyHistory
    @BitchyHistory 3 года назад +53

    Gotta love how unbothered Gunther is by your accusation. “I don’t know what you mean, I have never done anything wrong in my entire life.”

    • @JonSolo
      @JonSolo  3 года назад +10

      he knows the SoloFam will be on his side no matter what 😄

    • @BitchyHistory
      @BitchyHistory 3 года назад +6

      @@JonSolo everyone always sides with the dog

    • @TknoelTellsStories
      @TknoelTellsStories 3 года назад +4

      @@BitchyHistory I dunno, in my house, the dog gets blamed for everything. Drawer gets left open? She did it. Glasses are missing? She did it. Spilled something on your shirt? She wasn’t in the room, but it’s definitely still her fault.

  • @grapeshot
    @grapeshot 3 года назад +55

    I remember that show American Gods when they had the spider-god and he was on that slave ship and he encouraged them to burn the ship and rebelled against the crew. Angry gets shyt done. And of course that's exactly what they did burn the ship to the waterline even though it meant all of them were going to die. They chose death over slavery.

    • @BitchyHistory
      @BitchyHistory 3 года назад +8

      One of my favorite scenes in the show!

    • @johnlawful2272
      @johnlawful2272 3 года назад +3

      I remembered him saying your descendants are fucked

    • @johnlawful2272
      @johnlawful2272 3 года назад

      I remembered him saying your descendants are fucked

    • @shaniquequa7
      @shaniquequa7 3 года назад +9

      Then they fired him from the show

    • @PnkSamurai00
      @PnkSamurai00 3 года назад +3

      @@shaniquequa7 Yeaps
      That’s how that goes

  • @hospitalgal101
    @hospitalgal101 3 года назад +16

    I’M SO EXCITED. I asked for this months ago!! I loved the Anansi book I had as a child.
    Also Jon, I feel you. I’ll be 26 in two weeks and I hate spiders no matter what they do

  • @Dez112
    @Dez112 3 года назад +3

    AWESOME! I recently asked you to do this, and that is so awesome. Thanks, Jon Solo!

  • @timbuyoti1198
    @timbuyoti1198 3 года назад +1

    I'm from South Central Africa but the west African bantus who migrated to these parts brought their stories with them and I grew up hearing those stories and later, reading them. I love your analysis Jon. Hope this series does continue.

  • @enoboampong8076
    @enoboampong8076 3 года назад +13

    Wow I'm from Ghana and just realized you really do a lot of in depth research . Great work on Ananse

  • @mscomecorrect19
    @mscomecorrect19 3 года назад +30

    I grew up being told a lot of Aesop’s fables, Anansi the spider was one of the tales, very interesting back story!

    • @BitchyHistory
      @BitchyHistory 3 года назад +5

      To be fair, the original Aesop was an ancient Greek, so probably Anansi wasn’t in the original ones.

    • @YourQueerGreatAuntie
      @YourQueerGreatAuntie 3 года назад +8

      @@BitchyHistory There are theories that Aesop was actually an African living in Hellenistic Greece. It's not my area, but stories do love to travel!

    • @BitchyHistory
      @BitchyHistory 3 года назад +5

      @@YourQueerGreatAuntie oops, yeah you are right. I forgot about that theory 👍

    • @gaiasguardian205
      @gaiasguardian205 3 года назад +4

      Same, African Lore was glossed over as ' a strange amalgamation of stories that would require mental gymnastics to comprehend.' 🎩😄 This they were touched on so briefly as to be utterly confusing. Meanwhile the incestuous,and schizophrenic Greek/Roman lores were dedicated half the semester due to their complexity.

    • @slasch465
      @slasch465 3 года назад +1

      @@gaiasguardian205 elitism was a coping mechanism for some intellectual's trauma after embarassing themselves while butchering Non-European names. 😆 a joke, but feasible.

  • @AlucardNoir
    @AlucardNoir 3 года назад +92

    Oh man, Static was such a good show... that being said, did Anansi also make an appearance in the 90's SpiderMan cartoon?

    • @mongmanmarkyt2897
      @mongmanmarkyt2897 3 года назад +18

      Unfortunately it didn't look like anansi didn't appear in the spiderman comics until 03 where it was revealed he was the first spiderman

    • @AlucardNoir
      @AlucardNoir 3 года назад +9

      @@mongmanmarkyt2897 So a full decada later then? Hm, strange. I could have sword there was a labyrinth episode that had something to do with Anansi. I'm probably thinking of another cartoon.. so many good cartoons from back in the day, they start mixing up... and now I'm literally sounding like an old man.

    • @mongmanmarkyt2897
      @mongmanmarkyt2897 3 года назад +3

      @@AlucardNoir maybe i'm just stating the canonical time that anansi was *Revealed* as the first spiderman however he may have *appeared* and we didn't know him as such

    • @AlucardNoir
      @AlucardNoir 3 года назад +7

      @@mongmanmarkyt2897 Nah, I'm probably thinking of something like his appearance in Gargoyles. The 90's had a lot of good cartoons and I haven't seen the 90's Spider-man version in around two decades. I'm most likely misremembering.

    • @KiraBKADestroyerOfWorlds
      @KiraBKADestroyerOfWorlds 3 года назад +2

      I think Static Shock is DC Comics, so I doubt the character showed up in Marvel.

  • @Oyasavvi
    @Oyasavvi 3 года назад +3

    I WAS WAITING FOR YOU TO FINALLY EXPLORE AFRICAN FOLKLORE and mythology 😩💖💖 appreciate this 🇸🇱

  • @alicedubois1348
    @alicedubois1348 3 года назад +16

    This is really fun! I have been dying to hear stories from other cultures. I hope that t never stops... there are so many cultures to learn from.

  • @LuinTathren
    @LuinTathren 3 года назад +30

    Reading the comments, I just love to see how many different cultures are represented in the Solo Fam.

  • @TheSportsplayer
    @TheSportsplayer 3 года назад +11

    Thank you for doing African stories

  • @DBeauty82
    @DBeauty82 3 года назад +8

    These were my childhood bedtime stories! Super funny and always had me laughing myself to sleep. Very cool that you’re talking about them - and showing off some artwork that I’ve never seen before. Thank you 🇯🇲

  • @Kayla_Kizzle
    @Kayla_Kizzle 3 года назад +1

    I’m Jamaican we’re mostly descended from the Ashant, Kromanti/Coromantee, Akan and other tribes of Ghana and we still hold these cultural aspects dear to our hearts. Love my Ghanaian people; I’m also mixed with European (Greek & Scottish) & Asian (Indian & Chinese) but Ghana has an extra special place in my heart. I enjoyed listening to Anansi stories at school and with my grand and great grandparents.

  • @freeza3112
    @freeza3112 3 года назад +3

    Anansi was also in Gargoyles by Disney. That was my first time hearing about him. This was a really good and I've been waiting for stories like this.

  • @martinharris5567
    @martinharris5567 3 года назад +12

    My favourite anansi story back in primary school was when he tricked bro. Dog and bro. Cat into hating each other. 🇯🇲

  • @RobinSpiller
    @RobinSpiller 3 года назад +7

    Yessssss you're finally doing African Mythology thank youuuu! ❤🖤💚
    And it's Anansi! 😍😍😍😍

  • @moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115
    @moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115 3 года назад +27

    I can just see Gunther running around with Jon's and Lauren's freshly washed laundry! 🤣
    The lesson of this video is that no dog can resist the allure of laundry, straight out the dryer! I wonder if Gunther will teach his little sister, Penny, his laundry-borrowing tricks? 😂🧺🐶

    • @JonSolo
      @JonSolo  3 года назад +6

      oh he already has! whether it's clean or dirty neither he nor his sister discriminate against that laundered goodness

    • @moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115
      @moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115 3 года назад +2

      @@JonSolo You should see see my cat named Sammie. She will wait until we will be putting away the laundry in our drawer and then hop in to snuggle with it! Half of our laundry instantly becomes furry! 😹🧺😁
      Thanks for writing me back. Great work on the videos, Jon! The world needs laughter now more than ever! You're making it a better place with every video that you make! 🌎🌈😂

  • @pinkjt34
    @pinkjt34 3 года назад +5

    I grew up on his stories as a child listening with my grandfather.
    It was always pronounced "U-nun-see"
    I started hearing "a nancy" when i got older.
    I LOVE that you did this video.

  • @chemirem.3934
    @chemirem.3934 3 года назад +6

    I grew up with this folklore in Jamaica too and many of our ancestors trace back to the Ashanti people.

  • @dynamicentry6808
    @dynamicentry6808 3 года назад +11

    Finally Ananse the legendary spider from my countries folktale. Thank you for doing this 🙏🏾

  • @florioerika
    @florioerika 3 года назад +6

    YESS IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS ONE!!!!

  • @davidogundipe808
    @davidogundipe808 3 года назад +20

    Anansi the trickster god. Thanks Jon Solo for doing this video.

  • @bernardessem-koffie2860
    @bernardessem-koffie2860 3 года назад +5

    Great content, thanks so much for this. I'm so glad to see this as a Ghanaian and an Akan. Let me also share this:
    Kwaku Ananse Stories, as you rightly said, originate from the Akan people of Ghana, the popular group being the Asantes. Akan literally means "the enlightened ones". We have a saying which goes like, "Enimguasie emfata Akan ni ba", which means, "A person born as an Akan should not be a candidate for disgrace in any situation ". So Akans traditionally were taught proverbs and stories like Ananse stories. These stories were told by the Elderly (grand mothers and grand fathers) in the night, by the fire place to teach moral lessons, life lessons, and also to impart wisdom, critical thinking skills, diplomatic skills etc, so the Akan will be able to "stand out" as a victor or leader in real life situations. Of course Ananse wasn't always victorious in his trickery, but he almost always had a way to escape unscathed.
    Pardon my English.

    • @angelynnmarie99
      @angelynnmarie99 2 года назад +1

      7 months late, but I have to compliment your English skills! 😊

  • @truthseeker2171
    @truthseeker2171 2 года назад +1

    In the Northern parts of Ghana, there are stories of Anansi too where he is called Kpatingdariga - meaning spider. There are so many stories of Anansi that you could do daily stories for up to 6 months straight. The stories were always about the moral lessons and not just how "sensible" it is. True that Anansi can either be a man, a spider or a monster depending on the story but it's always about his trickery and greed.

  • @_didoi7068
    @_didoi7068 3 года назад +39

    I’m still waiting on explaining Freya from Norse mythology 😄

    • @aliciamcdowell6173
      @aliciamcdowell6173 3 года назад +4

      Yes she is my favorite.

    • @JonSolo
      @JonSolo  3 года назад +15

      me too! ;)

    • @_didoi7068
      @_didoi7068 3 года назад +6

      @@JonSolo I just can’t wait for you to post that video John also great video I never knew about Anansi 😁

    • @_didoi7068
      @_didoi7068 3 года назад +2

      @@HighiamDave 😐

    • @JonSolo
      @JonSolo  3 года назад +1

      @@_didoi7068 lmao that guy needs to chill

  • @missyj3960
    @missyj3960 3 года назад +14

    The first time I ever heard of Anansi from Disney's Gargoyles. This was fascinating.

    • @patriciametz3364
      @patriciametz3364 3 года назад +1

      Me too and I rewatched Gargoyles last year, it's still so good.

    • @missyj3960
      @missyj3960 3 года назад +2

      @@patriciametz3364 I know right? I will never not love it

  • @DeonysusSoD
    @DeonysusSoD 3 года назад +5

    Nice video. One step closer to Caribbean Folklore

    • @dissacharles3270
      @dissacharles3270 3 года назад +3

      I'm waiting for the dayyy ;)

    • @DeonysusSoD
      @DeonysusSoD 3 года назад +3

      @@dissacharles3270 let's hope this video does well so Jon can do more. I have my Caribbean Folklore books waiting to help with out with information. Lol 🙈

  • @christelberkenveld7626
    @christelberkenveld7626 3 года назад +1

    Did not expect to find kompa ananzi on yt for the life of me. Grew up learning and watching storied about him, but all in spider vorm, very entertaining. CARRIBEANSS LETSS GOOO🇨🇼🇨🇼🇨🇼

  • @miraclenoriega3587
    @miraclenoriega3587 3 года назад +13

    whenever i would lie my grandma would tell me to stop telling anansi tales now i understand what she meant

  • @thehowlinggamer5784
    @thehowlinggamer5784 3 года назад +14

    My first introduction to Anansi is through Wishbone. A series about a dog and his teenage owner going through various aspects of the book of the day, i.e. the red badge of courage being reflective through fighting your fears and standing up to a bully or something. Been a super long time, but that's the gist of it.
    Edit: they also talked about some of the technical stuff in making the episode, like using little blast pouches to simulate being shot or coconut shells for horse clipping noises at the end of each episode.

    • @johnlawful2272
      @johnlawful2272 3 года назад +1

      That was a good show

    • @Topaz_Estrella
      @Topaz_Estrella 3 года назад

      Yes, i was expecting to see Wishbone in his Ananse costume in this!

    • @thehowlinggamer5784
      @thehowlinggamer5784 3 года назад +1

      @@Topaz_Estrella
      Me too.
      I don't actively look for it anymore, but once in a while I'll start humming that tune in my head.
      'What's the story wishbone?'
      Kinda like the reading rainbow tune. It just sticks with you. At least it did me.

    • @thehowlinggamer5784
      @thehowlinggamer5784 3 года назад +2

      @@Topaz_Estrella
      Also, I thought that was one of the cutest ones I watched!
      I'm not much of a small dog fan, but Wishbone and Frasier has helped to soften my dislike of them.
      Larger breeds like chow/labs and huskies are still my overall faves though.

    • @reverendbug
      @reverendbug 3 года назад

      I was wondering if anyone else had seen it. It feels like not many people liked that show which is a shame because it was so interesting I thought.

  • @krissy172
    @krissy172 3 года назад +6

    The Anansi story is also told in Jamaica🇯🇲

  • @rhemarierennie5170
    @rhemarierennie5170 3 года назад +1

    This made my day. I'm from the Caribbean and I grew up reading and listening to anansi stories.

  • @multitalentedlator
    @multitalentedlator 3 года назад +2

    Finally a story the I can relate too from my childhood in the 80's!
    I grew up with the story in London UK.
    My parents are from St Lucia in the Caribbean.
    It is a Clever bedtime story
    teaching us not to be CUNNING nor SELFISH!!!
    The story lives on!
    I will pass this story onto my children too x

  • @kashhaliwell
    @kashhaliwell 3 года назад +7

    anansi was apart of my favorite stories as a kid. i still have sone of the books 🇯🇲

  • @livi8282
    @livi8282 3 года назад +4

    JAMAICAN HERE!! I think I commented every time for you to cover Anansy! His stories are so good

  • @rampageloner
    @rampageloner 3 года назад +5

    We have a lot of anansi stories in the Caribbean

  • @aishrekha2530
    @aishrekha2530 3 года назад +2

    Thank you so much for this. I literally cried when I saw that you uploaded this. Thank you for making African folklore visible

  • @SmartStart24
    @SmartStart24 3 года назад +2

    The Greater Purpose section was an entire word! You really nailed it. And Anansi absolutely kills me, even as a kid he was so funny and chaotic to me. But great lessons to be shared!

  • @madytullis6912
    @madytullis6912 3 года назад +12

    I love this story!
    It is just so interesting
    I initially heard of them from Miraculous Ladybug.
    And it intrigued me
    I love that you went straight into the story💜

  • @masterofdisguise6499
    @masterofdisguise6499 3 года назад +8

    I'm so happy to see you review a local story i grew up with! Loved hearing about brer anansi and the gang. From Grenada 🇬🇩🇬🇩

  • @hunneylipps
    @hunneylipps 3 года назад +10

    I remember this story my grandparents parents gave me a book about him when I was a kid I loved that book 😍😁

  • @sibongilemabaso6234
    @sibongilemabaso6234 2 года назад +2

    I remember learning about Anansi in primary school. I'm from South Africa

  • @SHRTBSS
    @SHRTBSS 3 года назад +1

    I’m from Jamaica and I loved this episode. I haven’t heard anansi stories in a while and it was very nostalgic as a grew up with some.

  • @its.ifunanya245
    @its.ifunanya245 3 года назад +8

    Yay! I've been hoping you'd do African folklore

  • @tayloredwards4968
    @tayloredwards4968 3 года назад +7

    Why hasn't Disney made a movie about Anansi the spider that would be so cool🕷

    • @cursedclover1339
      @cursedclover1339 3 года назад +1

      I’ve been waiting for Disney to make a movie about king taharqa. the Nubian leader that took Egypt back into the hands of the nubians and worked with Egyptians to create the most prosperous time in the Nile valley.

  • @ebonymjenkins442
    @ebonymjenkins442 3 года назад +4

    I was told the story of Anansi in primary school and still loved them to this day going to share the stories with my little ones soon.

  • @markpennie5454
    @markpennie5454 3 года назад

    You did good bro. I'm from Trinidad and Tobago and we grew up with these stories. Nice to see them getting shared around the world.

  • @darylesells19
    @darylesells19 3 года назад +2

    Dude you've gotta stop reading my mind like this. How'd you know I was just thinking about Anansi the spider last week my man?? Read a few of his stories as a kid and really liked his character always learning some lesson or another. Well done video as always!

  • @nathanieleagleson5676
    @nathanieleagleson5676 3 года назад +12

    Growing up in Ghana we were told many stories about Ananse......and yeah it's supposed to be an "e" not an "i". He is the Loki of our Ashanti gods