Anansi Masters

'''What is Anansi Masters?'''
The Anansi Masters project is a digital platform developed by Vista far Reaching Visuals. Here you can find information but most of all stories about fable animal Anansi. By building a database with video registrations we show the similarities but also the differences between the stories, storytellers and their public from different continents of the world. Anansi Masters initiate different activities in Holland and other countries to collect as many stories as possible. We collaborate with writers, theatre makers, filmmakers, researchers, schools and of course with many many storytellers.

'''Why Anansi Masters?'''
Three years ago the idea was born to ‘honor’ Anansi and to put him on the agenda broadly with the help of modern multimedia. In this way we could maintain the dynamics between storyteller and public and at the same time use the medium as a powerful instrument to break down language barriers.

Anansi is a well known international figure. As well he is very important for the cultural heritage debate in many Western Countries if you think about the fact that Anansi stories traveled in the heads of African slaves to the Americas, to the plantations in countries as Suriname, Curacao, along with the migration flow to Europe in the sixties.

Next to this, Anansi stories are very important for the oral narrate tradition. Sometimes it seems that this tradition, including Anansi stories, are under pressure. Maybe the modern communication tools like television, the internet and games are the cause the Anansi stories are told less and lesser? Or maybe we see a revival in the Anansi storytelling tradition?

Anyhow, there are enough reasons to collect and cherish Anansi stories. In the Arena of this website you can find many video’s of Anansi stories. Not only told by professional storytellers but also by ‘normal’ people like farmers, entrepreneurs and clerks. To disclose the stories by the Internet we give everyone access to the stories. It emphasizes the rich history between three continents and stimulates storytelling as a whole.

RESULTS
Anansi masters offers more than just a digital story database. By organising and offering other activities like Art exhibitions and symposia, Vista Far reaching Visuals creates a context around the Anansi stories. Last to mention is that Anansi Masters also developed an educational programme for primary and secondary schooling.

See also:
Pius Mensah (Expert)

Lindenweij Fund (Organisation)
Hivos (Organisation)