Скачать или смотреть Voodoo, Anansi & Brer Rabbit: The African Roots of Black Folklore

Between the 1500s and the 1800s, thousands of Africans were brought to the Americas as slaves. Along with their labor, they carried with them a rich tradition of myths and legends that would deeply influence the cultures of the Caribbean and the United States.

One major example is the religion known as vodún, or voodoo, which developed in the Caribbean. It centers around the worship of spirits called vodu, a word that means "spirit" in the West African Fon language. These spiritual beliefs, combined with elements of Christianity and native traditions, became a vital part of black cultural identity in the region.

Enslaved Africans also passed down folk tales, especially stories of the trickster spider Anansi. Known for his cleverness and wit, Anansi often outsmarts stronger foes using intelligence over strength. Over time, Anansi’s tales evolved—he became Anancy in the Caribbean and was transformed into Brer Rabbit, or Brother Rabbit, in the American South.

Brer Rabbit’s adventures were later collected in the Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris in the late 1800s. These stories, though filtered through a Southern American lens, still carried the essence of African folklore, helping preserve a legacy of resilience, wisdom, and cultural survival.