If you’re not big or strong, you must be smart! Immerse yourself in the world of the resourceful and mischievous Anansi. Known from age-old West-African, Surinamese, and Caribbean folktales, this spider also features in the child-friendly picture books of writer Iven Cudogham (1977, Paramaribo). In the intimate exhibition, families and children can discover the stories and rich history of Anansi on the basis of colourful drawings by MoldyByrd Studio and creative assignments.
Children are introduced to Anansi in a playful way, through activities like a memory game, a treasure hunt, interactive questions, and a drawing competition. The exhibition includes colourful illustrations from the picture books, where the influences of West African culture are clearly visible.Yngwie Boley, Diana van Houten, and J.J. Epping of Moldybyrd Studio found inspiration in colourful fabrics and traditional clothing. These influences are also visible in the design of Anansi himself: his belly, for instance, is reminiscent of an African shield. Food also plays an important role in the stories, reflected in playful drawings that include lots of tropical fruit and Surinamese dishes.
Anansi the spider
Cudogham's Anansi stories take place in the tropical rain forest, where the cunning spider lives with his wife Makuba and their seven children. Together with his friends Tortoise, Rabbit, Monkey, Cricket, Rooster, Elephant, and Otter he goes on adventures that are both funny and educational. Anansi is also not afraid to stand up to the Greedy Tiger or the Bossy King, as he always succeeds in outsmarting everyone with his pranks. By now consisting of six volumes, the entire series will be available to read (of have read to you) in the reading nook. Narrated by Cudogham (in Dutch), two of the books can also be listened to via a special sound pillar.
Journey around the world
Traditional West-African Anansi stories were not only meant to amuse, but also to convey language skills and community values. During the transatlantic slave trade (16th to 18th century) they found their way to the Caribbean and Suriname, where enslaved people continued to pass them on in secret. In the twentieth century, migrants brought the fables with them to the Netherlands and they increasingly started to appear in written form. Also included in the exhibition are historical publications about Anansi, including examples by the famous Anansi-storyteller and first president of the Republic of Surinam, Johan Ferrier (1910 – 2010).
Iven Cudogham
Iven Cudogham (1977, Paramaribo) is a father of seven children and lives in Amsterdam. In 2020, his first picture book about Anansi the Spider, with illustrations by Moldybyrd Studio, was released by publishing house Gottmer Kinderboeken. Since 2021 he has been promoting reading and writing in primary schools as a ‘Schoolschrijver’ (school writer), and in 2022 his Anansi de spin — Sterker dan Olifant (Anansi the Spider — Stronger than Elephant) was one of the thematic titles during Kinderboekenweek (national children’s book week). To date, over 130,000 copies of his picture books have been sold. Anansi the Spider also features in a theatre show, and plans for a feature film are in the making.
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