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Background of The Marriage of Anansewa by Efua Sutherland

Efua Sutherland was a Ghanaian playwright, teacher, and children’s author. The Marriage of Anansewa was written in the post-independence period when Ghana was dealing with modernization, colonial legacies, and the tension between tradition and modernity. Sutherland wanted to reflect this transition and used a folk narrative style to modernize oral storytelling for the stage.

She adapted the Ananse character from Akan folklore – a spider known for his cunning tricks – into a modern African man. This allowed her to both entertain and criticize social issues, such as greed, materialism, gender roles, and arranged marriage.

Plot Summary of The Marriage of Anansewa by Efua Sutherland

The play revolves around George Kweku Ananse, a cunning Ghanaian man who uses manipulation to marry off his only daughter, Anansewa, to the highest bidder among four wealthy chiefs.

Ananse, a clerk with limited income, writes exaggerated letters to several chiefs, praising his daughter’s beauty and implying she is ready for marriage. Each chief believes he is the only one being considered as a suitor. Ananse collects expensive gifts (called head-drinks) from all four, but has no intention of committing to any of them yet. Instead, he plans to assess who will offer the most bride wealth.

However, things take a twist when Chief-Who-Is-Chief, the richest and most powerful of the suitors, announces he will arrive soon to claim his bride. To avoid offending the other chiefs, Ananse pretends Anansewa has died, so he can return the gifts respectfully. Meanwhile, he tells Chief-Who-Is-Chief that Anansewa is alive and ready for marriage. The plan is full of lies and disguises.

Eventually, everything works out: the other chiefs accept the return of their gifts, and Anansewa is happily married to Chief-Who-Is-Chief. Ananse congratulates himself for achieving his goal using wit instead of force.

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Act-by-Act Summary of The Marriage of Anansewa by Efua Sutherland

A narrator introduces the spider trickster tale tradition (Anansesem).

The narrator explains that the play will be an example of Ananse’s cunning and how he manipulates modern society.

Act One

We meet George Ananse and his daughter, Anansewa.

Ananse, desperate to become rich and socially connected, types letters to four chiefs proposing his daughter as a potential bride.

Anansewa is unaware of her father’s plans and wants to attend a secretarial course.

He manipulates her into dressing up, takes her photo, and uses it to impress the chiefs.

The theme of parental control vs. youthful independence is introduced.

Act Two

The four chiefs begin sending bride wealth (head-drinks) and gifts.

Ananse keeps receiving and praising their gifts, planning to choose the richest suitor.

Anansewa discovers the scheme and confronts her father. He pretends that it is all for her benefit.

Anansewa is emotionally torn, wanting education and personal freedom, but also pressured by tradition and her father.

Act Three

Chief-Who-Is-Chief announces he is ready to come for the marriage.

Ananse panics and fakes Anansewa’s illness and death to stall the other chiefs.

He spreads the fake news with sorrow and rituals.

The other chiefs, mourning the “death,” take back their gifts peacefully.

Meanwhile, Chief-Who-Is-Chief still believes Anansewa is alive and sets a date for the marriage.

Act Four

Anansewa and her friend Christie prepare for the marriage.

Ananse’s manipulations succeed, and he boasts about the tortuous.

Anansewa finally agrees to the marriage and seems content.

The narrator concludes the play, reminding the audience that cunning (like that of Ananse) can achieve results, but with consequences.

Characters in The Marriage of Anansewa

1. George Kweku Ananse

He is the main character and father of Anansewa. A modern-day version of the traditional trickster Ananse, he is cunning, manipulative, and greedy. He tries to marry off his daughter to the highest bidder among four chiefs by deceiving each of them. He represents the use of wit to overcome poverty and powerlessness, but his selfishness is also criticized.

2. Anansewa

Ananse’s only daughter. She is respectful, emotional, and intelligent. Though she is initially manipulated by her father, she gradually asserts her independence and agrees to marry Chief-Who-Is-Chief on her terms. She represents the modern African woman, torn between tradition and her desire for education and autonomy.

3. Christie

Anansewa’s best friend and confidante. She is supportive, observant, and often helps Anansewa emotionally. Her presence allows Anansewa to express her feelings and offers a contrast to her father’s manipulation.

4. Chief-Who-Is-Chief

The wealthiest and most important of the four chiefs who are interested in marrying Anansewa. Although he never appears directly in the play, he is central to the plot. His wealth and power motivate Ananse’s schemes. He ends up marrying Anansewa.

5. The Narrator (or Storyteller)

This character introduces and concludes the play. The narrator connects the play to the traditional Ghanaian storytelling tradition (Anansesem), provides commentary, and guides the audience’s understanding.

6. The Other Chiefs

These are the three other unnamed chiefs who also receive letters from Ananse and send in bride price gifts. They are tricked into believing they are the only suitors. They represent the greed, pride, and competition that exist in society.

7. Minor Characters (like Ekuwa, Akroma, Atswei, etc.)

These characters are domestic workers or community members. They help move the action forward and provide comic relief or background presence. Some also represent societal opinions and gossip.

Themes in The Marriage of Anansewa

1. Tradition vs. Modernity

The play contrasts traditional practices such as arranged marriages and bride price with modern aspirations like education, love, and independence. Anansewa’s desire for a different life clashes with her father’s old-fashioned plans.

2. Greed and Materialism

Ananse is obsessed with money and social advancement. He manipulates suitors to gain wealth through his daughter’s marriage. The play criticizes how greed can distort family values and marriage.

3. Deceit and Trickery

Deception is central to the plot. Ananse lies to several people and fakes his daughter’s death to get out of his traps. His success through cunning reflects the folk wisdom of the trickster, but also highlights the moral gray areas of such behavior.

4. Parental Control vs. Individual Freedom

Ananse wants full control over his daughter’s future, while Anansewa wants a say in her own life. This theme shows the tension between generational expectations and youth independence.

5. Marriage as a Transaction

The play shows how marriage, especially through bride price, can become a business deal. The chiefs send lavish gifts as if buying a commodity. Ananse’s approach shows how daughters are often used as tools for economic gain.

6. Empowerment of Women

Though she is caught in her father’s schemes, Anansewa eventually has a say in her marriage. Her character arc reflects the beginning of women’s empowerment and the need for female agency in a changing society.

7. The Power of Wit and Cleverness

The story, in line with Anansesem tradition, celebrates the use of intelligence over force. Ananse succeeds not by violence or wealth, but by outsmarting everyone around him. However, the play leaves room to question whether this is truly admirable.