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Hello and welcome to #FaustianFriday , the #AfricanMythology edition. What do you know about the Trickster archetype in African myths and folklore?
#FaustianFriday #AfricanMythology
Trickster figures in African myths and folklore have been the subject of much debate and controversy since their designation into this archetypal category was influenced by the perspectives of (usually) non-indigenous analysts.
Trickster figures in African myths and folklore have been the subject of much debate and controversy since their designation into this archetypal category was influenced by the perspectives of (usually) non-indigenous analysts.
#FaustianFriday #AfricanMythology
That being said, there are many figures in African myths who embody (even if debated) some aspects of the trickster archetype. Here is a roundup of a few:
That being said, there are many figures in African myths who embody (even if debated) some aspects of the trickster archetype. Here is a roundup of a few:
#FaustianFriday #AfricanMythology
|Kaggen (| is a clicking sound) is a trickster shaman in the mythology of the ǀXam (South Africa). He is able to shapeshift into any animal but his preferred form is a praying mantis.
http://southafrica.co.za/religion-and-beliefs-of-the-san.html
|Kaggen (| is a clicking sound) is a trickster shaman in the mythology of the ǀXam (South Africa). He is able to shapeshift into any animal but his preferred form is a praying mantis.
http://southafrica.co.za/religion-and-beliefs-of-the-san.html
#FaustianFriday #AfricanMythology
Waito is a trickster figure in the mythology of the Baka (Cameroon). His father is Ngelo, brother of the Baka demiurge Komba. Waito stole game and fire from Komba for the benefit of humanity. He also introduces women and sexuality to humans.
Waito is a trickster figure in the mythology of the Baka (Cameroon). His father is Ngelo, brother of the Baka demiurge Komba. Waito stole game and fire from Komba for the benefit of humanity. He also introduces women and sexuality to humans.
#FaustianFriday #AfricanMythology
Anansi the Spider is a trickster figure of Akan (Ghana) mythology, known for being wise and wiley. He is popular in the African diaspora and the subject of extensive analysis in art, music and story telling. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ananse
Anansi the Spider is a trickster figure of Akan (Ghana) mythology, known for being wise and wiley. He is popular in the African diaspora and the subject of extensive analysis in art, music and story telling. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ananse
#FaustianFriday#AfricanMythology
Haiseb is a trickster figure of the Nama, the Damara and Hai||om (Namibia and other parts of Southern Africa). https://www.exploring-africa.com/en/namibia/nama-people/nama-religion-and-legends
Haiseb is a trickster figure of the Nama, the Damara and Hai||om (Namibia and other parts of Southern Africa). https://www.exploring-africa.com/en/namibia/nama-people/nama-religion-and-legends
#FaustianFriday#AfricanMythology
The tortoise is a trickster figures in the folklore of many West African countries. In Nigeria, tortoise is Mbeku to the Igbo and Àjàpá to the Yoruba. In Cameroon, tortoise is Kul to the Bassa.
The tortoise is a trickster figures in the folklore of many West African countries. In Nigeria, tortoise is Mbeku to the Igbo and Àjàpá to the Yoruba. In Cameroon, tortoise is Kul to the Bassa.
#FaustianFriday#AfricanMythology
Some African scholars do not fully accept the classification of Tortoise as trickster figure.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1771743?seq=1
Some African scholars do not fully accept the classification of Tortoise as trickster figure.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1771743?seq=1
#FaustianFriday#AfricanMythology
Similarly, Esu, the messenger Orisha in Ifa spirituality (Yoruba) is often classified as a trickster deity (or as Satan
) even though many reject this categorization with very good reason. Check out the #esuisnotsatan movement for more on this.
Similarly, Esu, the messenger Orisha in Ifa spirituality (Yoruba) is often classified as a trickster deity (or as Satan
) even though many reject this categorization with very good reason. Check out the #esuisnotsatan movement for more on this.
#FaustianFriday#AfricanMythology
The jackal is another animal often depicted as a trickster figure in the myths and folklore of many Southern African peoples. https://www.gondwana-collection.com/blog/jackal/
The jackal is another animal often depicted as a trickster figure in the myths and folklore of many Southern African peoples. https://www.gondwana-collection.com/blog/jackal/
#FaustianFriday#AfricanMythology
Hares and rabbits are also trickster figures in the folklore of many African peoples. This carried over into African-American folklore with Br'er Rabbit.
Hares and rabbits are also trickster figures in the folklore of many African peoples. This carried over into African-American folklore with Br'er Rabbit.
#FaustianFriday#AfricanMythology
The trickster figure in the folklore of the Zande (Central African Republic) is Ture the spider, known as a master of the double entendre.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ture_(Zande_character)
The trickster figure in the folklore of the Zande (Central African Republic) is Ture the spider, known as a master of the double entendre.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ture_(Zande_character)
#FaustianFriday#AfricanMythology
A contemporary treatment of the trickster figure in an African context. #WeLiveTheMyths #WeMakeTheMyths https://africanarguments.org/2020/08/trickster-or-survivor-the-rise-of-the-muyaaye-in-uganda/
A contemporary treatment of the trickster figure in an African context. #WeLiveTheMyths #WeMakeTheMyths https://africanarguments.org/2020/08/trickster-or-survivor-the-rise-of-the-muyaaye-in-uganda/
#FaustianFriday#AfricanMythology
A Nigerian "Muyaaye" tale from the sublime Eloghosa Osunde
#WeLiveTheMyths #WeMakeTheMyths https://www.theparisreview.org/fiction/7583/good-boy-eloghosa-osunde
A Nigerian "Muyaaye" tale from the sublime Eloghosa Osunde
#WeLiveTheMyths #WeMakeTheMyths https://www.theparisreview.org/fiction/7583/good-boy-eloghosa-osunde
#FaustianFriday #AfricanMythology But back to folklore! Agadzagadza is the trickster lizard of the Bura people in Nigeria.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agadzagadza#The_myth_of_Agadzagadza
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agadzagadza#The_myth_of_Agadzagadza
