- "Anansi. A trickster god. According to a legend, he fashioned a totem which he gave... to a warrior named Tantu."
- —Professor Macalester to Mari about Anansi[src]
Anansi is an African trickster god.
Biography
According to legend, Anansi was a trickster god. He fashioned the Anansi Totem, which allowed its bearer to harness the spirits of any animal. The totem was given to a warrior named Tantu.[1]
Legacy
The Anansi Totem was passed down through generations in Zambesi, eventually ending in possession of Mari. While Mari had read about Anansi in the encyclopedia, she was not aware of totem's powers until adulthood.[1]
Powers and abilities
Powers
- Deity/spider physiology: As a deity, Anansi has special abilities. According to Kuasa, Anansi's true form is a spider.[1]
- Magic Anansi possesses a rather unlimited and unspecified amount of magic powers.
- Totem/Jewelry creation: Anansi was capable of producing mystical jewels such as Anansi Totem.
Equipment
- Anansi Totem: Anansi channels his power through the totem.
Appearances
Vixen
Season 1
Arrow
Season 4
- "Taken" (indirectly mentioned)
Behind the scenes
- In the DC comics Anansi (also known as Kwaku Anansi and Anansi the Spider) is also a creator of Tantu Totem and a trickster god in West African folklore, also being an enemy to the Justice League and a source of power for several animal-based superheroes including Animal Man and Vixen.
- In real life Anansi is a prominent figure in Western African folklore often takes the shape of a spider and is considered to be the spirit of all knowledge of stories. Aforementioned DC comics character is based on this mythological character.