Still Animation as an Alternative Means of Disseminating Ananse Stories in Ghana: A Case Study of Agroyesum in the Ashanti Region
Loading...
Date
2012-05-21
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The main thrust of this dissertation is deeply entrenched in the rationale for disseminating and
preserving Ananse folktales which is apparently declining in appreciation and has lost its appeal
among the younger generation of the Ghanaian populace. This chasm creates a necessity which
needs to be addressed through research.
Additionally, Anansesem (a name given to Ananse folktales by the Akans of Ghana) is an
embodiment of rich encyclopaedic knowledge about Ghanaian historical social organization,
linguistics, dance, drama, folksongs and other essential traditional knowledge which must not be
overlooked or allowed to die out. Since the inception of storytelling, man has stored his thoughts,
world view, history, philosophy and culture in his traditional folktales. As such, this research
attempts to elucidate such themes in the context of Ghanaian socio-cultural milieu from the past
to contemporary era.
Anansesem is the soul of Ghanaian morals and ethics which hones and shapes individual and
societal behaviour for the benefit and social progress of the nation. In this regard, the gradual
dearth of Anansesem is equivalent to the decline of Ghanaian morals and ethics.The research employed the qualitative research methodology coupled with multimedia studio
practices and procedures. The multimedia studio procedure provides an all-inclusive followthrough
and step-by-step still animation production model which is comprehensible, adaptable
and can be employed to develop or conduct further research in folktales by future researchers.
The research discusses informative findings, which highlight the impact, effectiveness and
advantageous communicative capabilities still animation possesses over oral narratives. The
main findings revealed, through the field testing and analyses of still animation viz-a-viz oral
narratives, that still animation can be a valid alternative and comparatively effective audio-visual
communication medium through which Ananse folktales and oral tradition can be disseminated
and preserved. Crucial findings and hypothesis, such as the hypothetical theory of Ananse’s
manipulation scheme, the hypothetical classification of Ananse archetypes, the ethical and
philosophical rationale behind the Ananse archetype summarize the uniqueness of this research
in the study and evaluation of Anansesem and the Ananse archetype.
It is therefore recommended that storytelling periods and sessions should be re-introduced in
primary schools to enable children acquaint themselves with traditional Ghanaian folktales. On
the basis of a field test at the St. Francis Primary School in Agroyesum (Ashanti Region), the
research comes to the firm conclusion that the advantage and benefits animation offers in the
discipline of audio-visual communication and motion graphics makes still animation an
expedient communication medium for developing African societies struggling to eschew decadence and restore decorum, as well as decency among children, the youth and some elderly people.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah
University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in African Art and Culture, May-2012