WHO IS WHO, FROM THE VILLAGE TO THE CITY: WHAT ARE AFRICAN ANIMATION CHARACTERS PORTRAYING WITH SCENE?

 

Characters are the heart of every story. They carry us through worlds, invite us into experiences, and help us understand ourselves and others.

Through them, we can see aspect of ourselves, relate and even be accustomed to their traits through the story. However, when it comes to African animation, what are some of the ways our African realities from society, are reflected through our characters? 

Who are the characters that define African animation? How do African archetypes and ancestral influences shape the stories we tell, and how do they differ from global templates?

African Archetypes: More Than Heroes

To begin with, African stories often feature archetypes that resonate deeply with cultural values and communal memory. These include:

- The Wise Elder: Keeper of knowledge, moral compass, spiritual guide. Often a connection to ancestors and tradition.

- The Trickster: A cunning, playful figure who challenges norms and reveals hidden truths. Figures like Anansi the spider and Eshu the messenger.

- The Ancestor: Not just a memory, but an active spiritual presence guiding the living.

- The Matriarch: Strong women who nurture, protect, and sometimes fiercely defend their communities.

- The Collective Hero: Unlike the lone Western hero, African protagonists often embody communal values, with their actions linked directly to their people’s fate.

These archetypes ground stories in relationships and cultural continuity, making characters feel both familiar and sacred.

The Antihero and Moral Complexity

African narratives often embrace complexity and paradox:

- Characters who are flawed, contradictory, or morally ambiguous.

- Protagonists who may challenge tradition or struggle with their identity.

- Stories where right and wrong are not absolute but part of a nuanced moral landscape.

This moral fluidity creates room for antiheroes and outcasts, enriching narratives with depth and realism. It challenges the black-and-white morality typical in many Western superhero or adventure tales.

Archetypes Across Genres: How Do They Fit?

- Comedy: Tricksters shine here, mischief, wit, and social critique.

- Drama: The matriarch and wise elder navigate family and societal challenges.

- Sci-Fi and Afrofuturism: The ancestor becomes a bridge between past and future, guiding heroes through time.

- Horror: Spirits, ancestral curses, and moral reckonings add layers of cultural depth.

African archetypes don’t just transplant into these genres, they transform them, creating stories that feel both familiar and distinctly African.

This can be cut across various genres too, as well as, the time period or setting in which characters exist. Characters in pre-colonial Africa, often reflect a different story than character in present day Africa.

For example, in the aspect of romance, we are used to seeing the usual mainstream aspects of gender dynamics, courtships and communal role. In Africa, apart from what we are accustomed to seeing, they are various traditions that challenge the everyday norms that we are presented with. 

This is further reflected through, the diverse tribes in various African countries that express the aspect of marriage, gender norms and family with different perspectives than the usual global view or norms.

African characters and their depth with their respective cultures

However, despite having archetypes, given the various tribes across several countries, African stories offer another aspect of depth of characters. 

This involves the use of characters that can transcend the boarders between their cultures and the real world aspects, and have a fresh and new perspective on certain tropes we are used to seeing on our screens.

The can also be multidimensional and have a good versatility between genres. Ultimately, they help us carry themes much more creatively than the usual ones we have seen explored around animated series and shows.

Take horror for example. Instead of always having chainsaws and lab experiments gone wrong. We can have traditional witchcraft and ancestral prophecies that uncover deeper truths of a story.

Why This Matters for Global Audiences

Characters rooted in African archetypes and others possibly coming up due to the diversity of cultures, offer new ways for international viewers to connect with stories:

- They bring fresh perspectives on morality, identity, and power.

- They challenge stereotypes by offering complex, authentic portrayals.

- They invite viewers to appreciate storytelling that values community, spirituality, and history.

In Animation: Visualizing Archetypes

Animation allows for rich, symbolic character design:

- Using motifs and styles drawn from masks, sculpture, textiles.

- Animating spirits and ancestors with ethereal or abstract forms.

- Blending human traits with animal or mythical characteristics.

This visual language reinforces the archetypal roles and deepens the cultural resonance of characters.

Conclusion

African animation’s characters are not just heroes, they are keepers of culture, challengers of norms, and mirrors of complexity. By embracing archetypes and antiheroes rooted in African traditions, we open up storytelling to new emotional and cultural dimensions.

As African animation grows, these characters will lead us into stories that are not only entertaining but transformative.

What kind of characters do you see possibly coming up from embracing African culture? Let us know in the comments