Webquest+5.+Tricksters

Tricksters
What is a Trickster?

Western tradition doesn't include the idea of a trickster. Western writers have borrowed ideas about Tricksters from other traditions. Notable examples include Brer Rabbit (who was originally a West African trickster who came to America with Africans brought over during slavery), and Locki, who is a trickster from Nordic tradition.

Tricksters challenge and upset social conventions - and by doing so illustrate (1) that these are conventions - not natural laws; (2) that all systems/plans rely on shared goals, understandings, and consensus; (3) that chaos is also a part of the universe, and (4) human planning (or even the gods') cannot fully encompass or contain the trickster/chaos. In Native American storytelling traditions (oral story telling as well as literary story telling) trickster are introduced into the story as an element of cause, chance, chaos, or unconventionality. Tricksters turn moral values upside down, transgress all kinds of social conventions by breaking taboos, both religious/moral, as well as sexual. Common tricksters in Native American literature include Coyote, Raven, Fox, as well as Tricksters unique to a particular tribal culture such as Ik-tomi - the Spider trickster in Lakota tribal tradition.

Here is a link to a story called "[|The Barefoot Woman]" from Alabama, part of the African American folk tradition. In this story, the Devil's wife is more of a trickster than the Devil himself - making trouble for people. Listen to the story as it will give you an idea of trickster tales.

Many Native American nations tell stories about tricksters, some of which are pretty funny; others kinda raunchy. Watch out! Here are some links to help you get an understanding of tricksters.

Coyote Trickster Tales [|How Coyote Got his name]