Anansi Folktales in the Diaspora

For centuries the clever spider Anansi has been the subject of countless stories passed on from generation to generation. These stories originated in West Africa, just like the name 'Anansi' which means spider in the Akan language. African slaves brought these stories to the Caribbean, the USA and other parts of the diaspora where they became part of the culture of countries such as Guyana, Jamaica, Surinam, the Netherland Antilles and South Carolina. These stories are a source of entertainment and amusement. However, what are the characteristics of these stories? How do these folktales mirror humanity? What is the significance of the trickster for the study of human psychology? Anansi Folktales in the diaspora would provide some of these answers.