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Tricksters
Thinking
and Talking Activity
 The
Trickster has a long history and a sizable mythic presence in many
cultures. Tricksters push boundaries, and often reside outside of
the boundaries of a society's norms. He has a certain freedom and
nonchalance, illustrated by the tarot card entitled "The Fool,"
in which a jester is happily walking along, about to step off the
cliff. Of course, no one can predict what he will do, or how things
will turn out in response to his actions, his life does not follow
any path that can be foreseen.
Many of us are familiar
with several Trickster characters that live here in our own back
yard. West African stories were brought to the Southern United States,
long ago. Storytellers tell us about a trickster called Brer
Rabbit, immortalized by Joel Chandler Harris in his "Uncle Remus"
tales. His modern incarnation, Bugs Bunny, has been part
of U.S. culture for decades. Coyote is the most prominent
Native American trickster.
The European tradition
of Court Fools and Jesters is part of a larger tradition of harlequins,
puppets, jugglers, comedians, magicians, clowns and such, found
everywhere from ancient China to the corporate world to the wrestling
ring.
A cross-cultural helping
of tricksters would also include (among many others) Mamo the
Fool, Exu: The Divine Messenger (from Brazil), Legba
(from Haiti), Native American's Raven and Glooscap,
Germany's Tyl Ulenspiegel, France's Renard the Fox,
Cuba's Eshu-Elegbara, and Anansi. (or Anancy, or Ananse),
from West Africa. Learn about the Trickster of the Nordic gods,
Loki the misunderstood trickster, and his adventures such
as the binding of the Fenris Wolf and the theft of Idun's apples.
 A
great deal of information about The Trickster's many faces and talents
can be found on-line (see our links page for some tips), and in
the library. Discuss the qualities of a Trickster the students are
familiar with, such as Bugs Bunny. Have the students research another
Trickster character, from here or abroad, in small groups. Then
have some fun!
They could act out a
Trickster story, make up their own Trickster character, and create
a story around him or her. You could have a Trickster day at school.
Be creative and have fun!!
(The
picture on this page is Susana from the dance group Olorum
dressed as the trickster Ellegua.)
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