Anansi the Spider is a trickster figure from which cultural tradition?

• A. West African.
• B. Norse.
• C. East Asian.
• D. Native American.

Answer: (A)

Anansi the Spider embodies the trickster figure in West African folklore, especially among the Akan people of what is now Ghana. In these tales, Anansi uses clever schemes and wit to outsmart stronger rivals, often teaching moral lessons about greed, pride, or cunning. This tradition is deeply rooted in oral storytelling and has influenced many later folktales across the African diaspora, including in the Caribbean and the Americas. While other cultures have their own trickster figures—Norse with Loki, East Asian with players like Sun Wukong, Native American with Coyote or Raven—the character of Anansi is distinctly West African.