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A to Z of Anansi the spider.
O is for Ocean
Rivers seem to be mentioned more often than the ocean in the Anansi stories. There are fish stories, one of which is included in my book, Anansi and Company, but the ocean itself, doesn't seem to play any roles.
I could hazard a guess as to why. As beautiful as the ocean can be, it was a constant reminder to the slaves of the horrors of the Middle Passage. It was a barrier, both physical and psychological, which they could not get across.
This is only my thoughts on it. I could be wrong. But when something so obvious is rarely mentioned, one wonders why.
O is for Ocean
Rivers seem to be mentioned more often than the ocean in the Anansi stories. There are fish stories, one of which is included in my book, Anansi and Company, but the ocean itself, doesn't seem to play any roles.
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| Sir Francis Drake Passage, named after him because he sailed right through here. St. John, U. S. Virgin Island is on the right. Tortola, British VirginIsland is on the left. In the distant center in Virgin Gorda, BVI. Before they won their freedom from Denmark in 1848, many slaves on St. John swam or smuggled themselves across The Passage to Tortola where slavery had been abolished in 1833. |
I could hazard a guess as to why. As beautiful as the ocean can be, it was a constant reminder to the slaves of the horrors of the Middle Passage. It was a barrier, both physical and psychological, which they could not get across.
This is only my thoughts on it. I could be wrong. But when something so obvious is rarely mentioned, one wonders why.
That is curious. Your theory is as good as any. I'm sure those still passing on the stories don't even know.
ReplyDeleteThe ocean has a bit of a history of being seen as a dangerous killer as well as enticing/beautiful. Like stories of sirens luring men to their deaths and so on.
ReplyDeleteYour theory as to why rivers are mentioned more than oceans matches mine.
ReplyDeleteCuriouser and curiouser because most people who live by the sea, love the sea and speak of it. You may have the reason.
ReplyDeleteSeems to me, that quite possibly the river is more important as it is a source of life (fresh water) for man. Whereas the ocean represents the bars on the cage.
ReplyDeleteWhile living in the islands I loved the ocean, but often it felt like the barrier. You can't take much of a road trip on a pice of land 26 miles long and 7 miles wide ( thst's STX-the BIG island).
Your guess makes sense, Bish. When I've read the history of those slavers, it gave me the chills to think anyone could be that cruel to others.
ReplyDeleteHmm, good question! Im not sure, either, but your theory sounds reasonable.
ReplyDeleteHuh. That is interesting. It would be fun to go in and study their culture and figure out exactly why the ocean is ignored/shunned. I think you have a pretty good guess though.
ReplyDeleteTrue Heroes from A to Z
That's so surprising considering the stories take place in the Virgin Islands, which are surrounded by Ocean.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Given the ocean is so integral to life on an island, you'd think it would feature large. It does in Pacific island mythology and lore.
ReplyDeleteHey Bish,
ReplyDeleteSir Francis Drake certainly got around.
"O" is for "Ocean." I "sea" what you did there....
Penny's fictional human,
Gary
It does make sense, doesn't it? But rushing rivers have a magic all their own, and I'm sure they saw that, too.
ReplyDeleteThey named a passage after Sir Frances? That's terrific.
ReplyDeleteThat is interesting and I believe you're onto something.
ReplyDeleteYour guess makes sense, though. That's a beautiful picture. I love the ocean!!
ReplyDeleteHappy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
I've always loved the ocean, though I understand how it can be seen as a barrier or painful reminder of loss when looked upon by someone like a slave.
ReplyDelete