The Trickster Archetype

The trickster is often an important mythological being of significant importance in creation stories as well as other stories that help to define observed phenomena for various cultures. The trickster is not a solitary entity but rather a part of each individual that exists in each of us and shows itself on occasion. The trickster in all cultures is endowed with supernatural powers that help him (or her) perform a number of tricks: ôHe lives, dies, comes back, shapeshiftsùall sorts of magic as our reality is nothing more than an illusionö (Trickster 1, 2004, 2). This discussion will provide an analysis of the trickster and its role in three cultures: Native American; African; and Christian.

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West African trickster stores more often have the Tortoise, Spire, Hare or Eshu as their focus. Gizo is the spited trickster of the Hausa tribe of West Africa, Anansi is the spider trickster of the Ashanti and Akan peoples of West Africa, and Ijapa is the tortoise trickster of the Yoruba tribe (Frederick-Malanson 2004, 6). African storytellers brought their trickster myths with them as slaves to America, where the hare became mixed with Native American culture tricksters and ended up in the incarnation of BreÆr Rabbit (Frederick-Malanson 2004). The tricksters in African American culture also include the Jackal of the Hottentots of the Kalahari Desert and various others. Similar to the tricksters of Native American cultures, the African tricksters were also a combination of good and mischievous behavior. Gizo, the spider trickster, of the Hausa tribe, was often a villain and often helpful. Anansi, the spider trickster, often resembled the behavior of man in his actions. Like the Native American tricksters, the tricksters in African cultures often explain observable phenomena and are more often mischievous than good. According to Frederick-Malanson (2004), ôSometimes they are seen sympathetically, even as wise. More of
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Approximate Word count = 2891
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)

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