Bouki and Ti Malice, where do they come from and how did they end up in Haitian folklore and storytelling?

Istwa Bouki ak Malis - Istwa Jan Sot ak Jan Lespri - Haitian Folktales Explained

Bouki and Ti Malice arrived in Haiti just like every other slave in the new world, via the West African slave trade. The origins of Bouki and Ti Malice go way back to African oral traditions.

It is believed that Ti Malice originates from an African folktale about Anansi the Spider. Actually, Anansi is the word for spider in the language of the Akan people from Ghana. Stories of this intelligent and wicked spider started spreading from Ghana all the way to the new world.

A twisted version of Anansi the Spider involving two characters started spreading in Senegal and surrounding countries.

In senegal the two characters, Bouki and Ti Malice appeared in animal form.

Bouki, portrayed as a hyena, actually bears the name "Bouki," in the Fulani and Wolof languages, two languages spoken in Senegal, Mauritania, Gambia, Nigeria, Mali and other countries in Central and West africa.

Ti Malice assumed the form of a hare known as "Leuk" in Senegal folklore.

As the story unfolds, distinct character traits emerge, defining the two inseparable companions. Bouki embodies a hungry and emaciated hyena, while Leuk, the cunning hare, carries an air of mischief and legendary wit.

In Haiti, the two characters took human form with Bouki as the vulnerable ordinary guy always in search of something and Ti Malice the "racketeur" constantly trying to outsmart Bouki or play a trick on him.

If you are familiar with Haitian folklore, then it will makes perfect sense to you as to the origin of this Haitian folktale, as old if not older than Haiti itself.

Even today in Haiti when you get played by somebody, people still call you Bouki.

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