🎙️ Welcome back, Afro Mythos family!

We’re Solomon and Adwoa! and today, we’re joined by a very special guest: Robin Belfield, Associate Director at the Unicorn Theatre and director of the brilliant new production Anansi the Spider. Book or learn more at the Unicorn Theatre. The Unicorn Theatre

In this episode, we explore how one of Africa’s most beloved tricksters continues to evolve, from West African folktales to Caribbean storytelling to modern British theatre. Robin shares how Anansi the Spider brings together music, drumming, and immersive storytelling to connect generations across the African diaspora.

✨ In This Episode:

• From Ghana to the Caribbean to Britain: How Anansi’s journey across oceans mirrors the movement of people and stories through history.

• The Trickster’s Many Faces: Why Anansi remains timeless, mischievous, wise, flawed, and profoundly human.

• Storytelling as Community: How theatre revives the traditional role of the griot, turning audiences into participants in a living story.

• Culture, Connection & Continuity: Why Anansi the Spider matters for both children and adults, and how these tales spark curiosity about African heritage.

🎧 Why Listen?

If you’re fascinated by how African folktales travel, transform, and stay alive through art, this conversation is for you. Robin’s reflections remind us that stories like Anansi’s don’t just entertain, they connect us to our roots, our resilience, and each other.

🔗 Tune In & Join the Conversation:

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Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/adecheatelier Patreon

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💬 Let’s talk:

Which version of Anansi did you grow up with, the West African, Caribbean, or modern London one? How do you see his spirit in today’s stories? Share your thoughts and tag us to keep the conversation going.

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We are sooo back!!! In this “A→Z” first episode, Adeche (Adwoa & Solomon) take you on an immersive journey through four foundational entries in the Encyclopaedia of African Religion: Abasi, Abosom, Abuk and Adinkra Symbols. Whether you’re a scholar of African religion­ mythology, a mythology lover seeking inspiring content, or an art enthusiast curious about the visual language of Akan culture. There's so much to learn.

📖 Episode Overview

00:00 - 02:09 Introduction

Adeche share updates, introduce our Patreon (transcripts, slide decks, livestreams) and explain why Season 4 expands “ASMR A→Z” into an “A→Z Immersion” format.

02:09 - 11:02 Abasi (Efik Creator)

Learn how Abasi, the sky-dwelling Creator, retreats when humans farm and procreate. See Atai’s role, Ekpe (Ukara/Nsibidi) secret societies as mediators, and the Abakuá brotherhood in Cuba influencing Afro-Cuban music.

11:02 - 23:37 Abosom (Akan Spirits)

Abosom are intermediary deities connecting humans to Nyame. We cover three categories (territorial, family and clan spirits) and highlight key figures like Akonnedi (justice) and Nana Asuo Gyebi (healing). Discover the Akradinbosom system (daily deities shaping one’s kra and nkrabea) and the role of Akomfo (priests) and Bosomfie (spirit-houses).

23:37 - 31:00 Abuk (Dinka First Woman)

Abuk, formed from Nile-clay by Nhialic, plants one millet grain-pioneering agriculture. Her “blue-bird severing” opens heaven, unleashing mortality. Compare Abuk to Eve, Pandora and Mbokomu. Explore living traditions: blue-bead braiding, snake-staff rites and diaspora performances.

31:00 - 39:00 (Approx.) Adinkra Symbols (Akan Visual Proverbs)

Adinkra began as funeral cloth stamps using calabash and plant dyes. Over fifty symbols (e.g. Gye Nyame, Sankofa, Dwennimmen) encode moral lessons: humility, wisdom and independence. See Adinkra’s role in workshops, fashion in Accra, London and New York, and diaspora art.

🔑 Why Listen & Takeaways

1. Creation Narratives
2. Compare human curiosity/disobedience in Efik, Akan and Dinka myths and reflect on divine withdrawal.
3. Intermediaries & Secret Societies
4. Abosom (Akan) and Ekpe/Abakuá (Efik/Cuba) bridge the gap with the Creator through rituals and masked dances.
5. First-Woman Myths & Innovation
6. Contrast Abuk’s co-creation with Eve’s fall, mortality as a byproduct of ingenuity.
7. Adinkra’s Moral Language
8. Adinkra condenses ethics into images, guiding identity and modern designs in diaspora contexts.
9. Diaspora & Artistic Legacies

📢 Call to Action

If you love African mythology, culture and art, please like, share and subscribe! Comment: which segment resonated most?. Hit 🔔 for new episodes.

Support Adeche on Patreon (transcripts, slides, livestreams): patreon.com/adecheatelier

- Adeche (Adwoa & Solomon)

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🎙️ Welcome back, Afro Mythos family! We’re Solomon and Adwoa, and today, we’re thrilled to introduce a special guest—Maria Motunrayo Adebisi, the author behind the extraordinary Koku Akanbi series! Follow her on socials @Maria.motunrayo.author

In this episode, we dive deep into Maria’s creative world, where African mythology and modern-day realities collide. Koku Akanbi: The Heart of Midnight and its sequel Koku Akanbi: The King of Lost Souls have captured the imagination of readers with their vibrant mix of ancient Orishas, gripping adventure, and deeply personal themes of dual identity and resilience.

✨ In This Episode:

• Writing Between Two Worlds: How Maria brings the British-Nigerian experience to life in Koku’s journey, mirroring the challenges of balancing two identities in a world shaped by African spirituality and Western influence.
• Representation That Matters: The choice to give Koku sickle cell anaemia, and why representing this condition in a fantasy setting helps break boundaries while inspiring empathy and understanding.
• World-Building Masterclass: Get a behind-the-scenes look at how West African mythology, particularly the Orishas, inspired the creation of Juju Land, a magical realm where culture, history, and fantasy intersect.

🎧 Why Listen?

If you’ve ever wondered how African myths can shape modern fantasy or how characters with real-world challenges can become heroes, this episode is for you. We explore the importance of seeing ourselves in stories and the power of reclaiming African narratives in literature.

🔗 Tune In & Join the Conversation:

• Watch on YouTube: Here
• Support us on Patreon: Here

💬 Engage With Us:

We’d love to hear your thoughts on Koku’s journey! What does representation in fantasy mean to you? How does African mythology shape your perspective? Leave a comment or send us a message, and let’s keep the conversation going.

Follow us on Instagram: @adeche.atelier

Stay updated and thank you for exploring this wonderful world of African Mythology with us!

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