The Portrayal of Ananse as a Deceptive Character In ‘Anansesem’: Evidence from Yaw Asare’s Ananse in the Land of Idiots

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

The Portrayal of Ananse as a Deceptive Character In ‘Anansesem’: Evidence from Yaw Asare’s Ananse in the Land of Idiots

 Evans Asante¹, Maxwell Mpotsiah^2
1Department of Theatre Arts, Winneba, Ghana University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
²Department of English Language, University of Education, Winneba, Ghana

Abstract: This paper focused on deception, which has been identified as one of the attributes of Ananse, the Spider in all contexts of Ghanaian folklore. The paper is an analytical discourse which derives its source of reference from Yaw Asare’s Ananse in the land of idiotsa play based on the Ghanaian story telling tradition. The analysis of deception is rooted on Buller & Burgoon’s (1996) Interpersonal Deception Theory. In the final analysis, the paper concluded that Ananse exhibited various forms of deceptive postures in all his dealings and engagements at different levels. Ananse as a character is also portrayed as epitome of man in the Ghanaian social context.

Keywords: story-telling, deceptive character, Anansesem, Ananse in the land of idiots

I. INTRODUCTION

The Ghanaian society is noted for its axiomatic nature of story-telling that is carved around the culture of instilling a fundamental sense of moral values. Such a practiceis perceived as the core values of life that are meant to point to the naturalistic characterisation of human development. This then suggests that story-tellinghas substantially become the sole beliefs and purviews of the people’s life and culture. Owusu-Ansahet al (2014, p.1) admonish this development and further maintain that story-telling . . . is very important recreational activity in Africa. The significance of this activity, however, goes beyond leisure as it serves as a medium for transmitting cultural values. It is the backbone of Africa’s oral tradition as it made the transfer of knowledge to younger generations both entertaining and effective.
In this regard, most of the stories told are meant to correct societal and economic vices that are so pervasive in people’s life. This then becomes so achievable through the context of the lessons that are drawn from the messages as the story is being told. As such, story-telling is seen as a community

Read More