Our cultures are influenced by countless different factors, which vary greatly from country to country. From a young age, people are shaped entirely by their culture and by the people who raise them. One aspect that particularly influences young people in societies is folklore. Folklore is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as, “the traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community, passed through the generations by word of mouth”.
This research paper will focus on various aspects of folklore of the Caribbean country of Jamaica, and the analysis of three different topics concerning Jamaican folklore, namely the Anansi stories, the Jamaican sayings, and a traditional witchcraft called Obeah. Furthermore, the character Anansi, who appears in the majority of these stories, will be examined and analyzed. The methods employed in researching this topic include a personal interview, well documented stories mentioned in books, and internet research to gather background information about these topics.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The character “Anansi”
3. Jamaica Anansi Stories
3.1. Origin
3.2. General Information
3.3. Anansi brings Stories to the World
3.3.1 The Plot
3.3.2 The moral of the story
3.4 Inside the cow
3.4.1 Plot
3.4.2 The moral of the story
3.5 Why Anansi has Eight long legs
3.5.1 The Plot
3.5.2 The moral of the story
4. Jamaican Sayings
4.1 General Information
4.2 Examples
4.2.1 Caution
4.2.2 Respect
4.2.3 Patience
4.2.4 Resilience
4.3 Social control
5. Obeah Witchcraft
5.1 General Information
5.2 Evidence of Obeah magic
5.2.1 Nanny of the Maroons
5.2.2 Interview: Mr. Norris Johnson
5.3 Obeah Scepticism
5.3.1 History
5.3.2 Documentation of the stories
5.3.3 Use in modern times
6. Conclusion
7. Bibliography
Objectives and Key Themes
This research paper examines the role and influence of folklore within Jamaican culture. It aims to explore how traditional beliefs, stories, and practices have shaped societal norms and the mindset of the Jamaican people, specifically analyzing the pedagogical and social functions of these elements.
- The characterization and moral implications of Anansi folktales.
- The role of traditional Jamaican sayings in social control and behavioral education.
- The historical and cultural significance of Obeah witchcraft in Jamaica.
- The contrast between historical beliefs and modern digital manifestations of magical practices.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3.1 The Plot
One day Anansi was watching the humans and notices that they are bored and he wants to help them. He decides that the humans could use some books, but the only person who has books is the Sky God, Nyame. Anansi asks Nyame for books for the humans, to which he responds with a perplexed look as many before him have tried and failed to pay the price. Anansi insists he can do it and asks what the price is. Nyame answers: “Very well little one. My price is Onini, the python who can swallow a goat; Osebo, the leopard with teeth as sharp as spears; Mmoboro, the hornet whose sting is like red hot needles and Mmoatia, the bad-tempered fairy that no-one can see. Bring to me all of these and my box with all the stories shall be yours”. In order to capture the animals the Sky God requested, Anansi uses the habits, egos and pride of the animals against them.
The first animal, the python, thinks there is nothing in the world that is longer than he is. So when Anansi comes up to the python holding a stick and trying to prove his wife wrong that he is in fact longer than the stick, the python lays next to it and Anansi quickly ties him to it using his silk string and takes him to the Sky God. Anansi catches the leopard by digging a hole in the path it usually takes to get to the watering hole. When it falls in, Anansi offers his help getting the leopard out and in doing so gaining his trust and tieing him up to take him to the Sky God. He captured the hornets by tricking them into thinking it is raining and offering them shelter in a gourd which he then closes and takes to the Sky God. The last obstacle is to capture the invisible fairy. Anansi makes a wooden doll and covers it in sticky glue. He places a bowl of the fairies’ favorite food in front of the doll and waits. The invisible fairy comes and takes the food and when she is finished thanks the doll but when it does not reply she gets mad and slaps the doll. In doing so her hand gets stuck and Anansi can take her to the Sky God. Anansi was able to achieve what many before him have tried and failed at doing. He got the books from Nyame and gave them to the people so that they can enjoy themselves.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter provides a definition of folklore and outlines the research objective to analyze Anansi stories, Jamaican sayings, and Obeah witchcraft.
2. The character “Anansi”: This section introduces Anansi as an African-originated folktale character, highlighting his traits as a clever, cunning, and greedy figure who serves as an underdog hero.
3. Jamaica Anansi Stories: This chapter covers the history, origin, and didactic purpose of Anansi stories in Jamaican culture through specific narratives and their associated morals.
4. Jamaican Sayings: This chapter analyzes how traditional proverbs act as tools for social control, teaching moral values such as respect, patience, and resilience to the public.
5. Obeah Witchcraft: This chapter explores the historical practice of Obeah in Jamaica, its role in social control, and contemporary skepticism regarding its legitimacy.
6. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the cultural impact of folklore in Jamaica, affirming its enduring role in educating generations and influencing social behavior.
7. Bibliography: This section lists the sources used for research, including academic books, web articles, and personal interview records.
Keywords
Jamaica, Folklore, Anansi, Jamaican Sayings, Obeah, Witchcraft, Social Control, Culture, Morals, Ashanti, Storytelling, Resilience, Tradition, African Heritage, Behavioral Education.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the foundational elements of Jamaican folklore, specifically focusing on the educational and cultural impact of Anansi stories, traditional sayings, and Obeah witchcraft.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The main themes include moral education, the social function of stories, historical migration of traditions from Africa to Jamaica, and the psychological power of belief in magic.
What is the main goal of the research?
The goal is to analyze how these specific folklore elements have functioned over time as methods for socializing individuals and maintaining community values.
Which research methods were applied?
The author utilized literature reviews of documented stories, internet research for background context, and a personal in-person interview with a Jamaican native.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The body is divided into three distinct sections: the Anansi folktale tradition, the didactic use of Jamaican proverbs, and the practice and perception of Obeah witchcraft.
Which keywords define this work?
Key terms include Jamaica, folklore, Anansi, Obeah, social control, and traditional morals.
How does the author characterize the Anansi figure?
Anansi is characterized as an African-originated trickster figure who is typically cunning, deceitful, and greedy, yet serves as an underdog who succeeds against stronger adversaries.
What role does Obeah play in Jamaican history?
Obeah originated from African practices brought by slaves; it served as a spiritual force used for personal gain, retribution, and in some cases, as a psychological mechanism of fear and control during the era of slavery.
How does the author view modern Obeah practices?
The author identifies modern online Obeah services, such as those promising money and love spells, as likely scams designed to exploit people's hopes for a better life.
- Citar trabajo
- Emily Hansen (Autor), 2017, Jamaican Folklore and the Influence on Jamaican Culture, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/450775
