The Marriage of Anansewa: Plot Overview

• "The Marriage of Anansewa" is a play written by Ghanaian playwright, novelist, and academic, Efua Sutherland

• The play blends traditional African storytelling with modern theatrical techniques

• It employs a storytelling format, with Ananse, the spider trickster figure from Akan folklore, as the narrator

• The play satirizes aspects of Ghanaian society, particularly the pursuit of wealth and status through marriage

Plot Overview

• Ananse, deeply in debt, devises a plan to solve his financial problems by advertising his daughter, Anansewa, to several wealthy and influential potential suitors

• He sends out a "marriage brochure" detailing Anansewa's virtues and accomplishments, sparking interest from chiefs, politicians, and military officers

• As suitors arrive, Ananse weaves elaborate stories and manipulates events to increase their interest and drive up the "bride price"

• Ananse creates a false narrative by pretending Anansewa has died to test the suitors' true feelings and commitment towards her

• The play concludes with the revelation that Anansewa is not really dead

• Anansewa chooses her own husband, a humble and educated young man named Teacher, who loves her for who she is, not for her potential to bring wealth or status

Characters

• Ananse: The protagonist and narrator, a trickster figure who uses his wit and cunning to manipulate situations for his own gain

• Anansewa: Ananse's beautiful and intelligent daughter, who is the object of the suitors' desires; she has her own agency and eventually chooses her own partner

• The Suitors: Chiefs, politicians, and military officers who represent different aspects of Ghanaian society and are all vying for Anansewa's hand in marriage

  • Chief Who-Is-Chief: A wealthy and influential traditional ruler

  • Ramatu: A wealthy business woman

  • Colonel Teko: A high-ranking military officer

  • Politician

• Teacher: A humble and educated young man who truly loves Anansewa for who she is

Themes

• Critique of Materialism and Greed: The play satirizes the obsession with wealth and status in Ghanaian society, as demonstrated by the suitors' eagerness to marry Anansewa for financial gain or political advantage

• The Power of Storytelling: Ananse's ability to weave elaborate stories and manipulate events highlights the power of storytelling to shape perceptions and influence outcomes

• Tradition vs. Modernity: The play explores the tensions between traditional customs, such as arranged marriages and bride prices, and modern values, such as individual choice and love

• Female Agency: Anansewa is not merely a passive object of exchange, despite her father wanting a wealthy man for her; she has her own desires and ultimately chooses her own partner, asserting her agency

• Corruption: Sutherland critiques corruption among people in high places

Dramatic Techniques

• Storytelling: The play uses a storytelling format, with Ananse as the narrator, to engage the audience and provide commentary on the action

• Satire: The play employs satire to critique aspects of Ghanaian society, such as materialism, corruption, and the abuse of power

• Humor: The play is filled with humor, both through Ananse's witty remarks and through the exaggerated portrayals of the suitors

• Music and Dance: Traditional Ghanaian music and dance are incorporated into the play to create a vibrant and culturally rich theatrical experience

• Audience Participation: The play often involves audience participation, blurring the lines between the stage and the audience and creating a sense of community

Social Commentary

• Critique of Bribery and Corruption: The suitors' willingness to offer gifts and bribes to Ananse in exchange for Anansewa's hand in marriage highlights the prevalence of corruption in Ghanaian society

• Questioning Traditional Practices: The play challenges traditional marriage practices, such as arranged marriages and bride prices, and raises questions about their relevance in modern society

• Celebrating Education and Humility: The play celebrates the values of education and humility, as embodied by Teacher, who is portrayed as a more desirable partner than the wealthy and powerful suitors