| Anansesem Kyiri Kasa! is... |
| Pronounced ah-NAHn-say-SEHm CHEEdee KAHsah... Anansesem Kyiri Kasa! in the Twi language of Ghana, West Africa, is an expression that means: storytelling does not like idle talk--talk or chatter that has nothing to do with the story being told and is distracting to the audience and storyteller. It is often said when someone is rudely talking during the telling of a story. J'miah Nabawi also uses the expression as a program heading for one of his multifaceted presentations, adding a spin to the meaning to say that his storytelling is more than words that weave history and fantasy but are filled with action and movement. Anansesem Kyiri Kasa: Storytelling Does not Like Idle Talk! is also the title of one of J'miah's books, a "Teachers/Family Guide" filled with related storytelling activities, folk-tale songs (mmoguo) and movement games. When attending an Anansesem Kyiri Kasa program by Mr. Nabawi, you are either clapping, singing, drumming or dancing, acting and moving or doing all of the above. Anansesem Kyiri Kasa is festive, action-filled storytelling drama. You must experience it to truly get to know its meaning. Now, look at the word Anansesem itself and you will see the name Ananse. Anansesem is the "telling" of Ananse-stories (or storytelling). Ananse is the name of the very popular spider and folktale character whose antics of tricks and wit are known throughout the world. In fact, Ananse is so-o-o clever at times that not even "King Lion" (yes, that one right there to the right and cutting his eyes over to see what's being stated here) has been fast or clever enough to catch ol' Kwaku the Spider-Man Ananse! Born in Ghana, West Africa, many, many moons ago, Ananse's name and legend continue to ring out in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, Latin-America, Africa, America and Europe. They say he's also been seen in Japan and China! To find out more on Anansesem, telling Ananse stories, you may search the web by typing in keywords: ananse (also spelled anansi); anansesem; spider stories; ghanaian folktales; and, jamaican folktales. You may also order copies of Anansesem Kyiri Kasa: Storytelling Does Not Like Idle Talk! and ANANSE Makes It So!, "a read-aloud coloring book" for family and classroom Anansesem. |
 |
| BOOKS FOR GROWING MINDS PUBLICATIONS Ananse Teacher's Guide P.O. Box 13946 Savannah, GA 31416 (912) 927-1871 Email: speakersgroup@bellsouth.net |