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Ayomide Adekilekun

Illustration of greedy old couple turning into monkeys on a tree, from a Zambian folktale.

How the Monkeys Came to Be: A Zambian Folktale

by Ayomide Adekilekun

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Long ago, in the heart of the African wilderness, there lay a quiet glade where a humble tribe had built their huts. The people lived in harmony with nature and with one another, sharing food, laughter, and the struggles of daily life. Among them lived a frail old man and his equally gaunt wife. They were always complaining of hunger

Illustration of Monkey and Hare in Gambian folktale, showing their playful contest of pride and trickery.

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

The Monkey and the Hare | A Classic Gambian Folktale of Pride and Trickery

One bright morning in a Gambian village clearing, Monkey boasted loudly before Hare and all who would listen. With a confident grin, he slapped his chest and declared, “From sunrise to sunset, I can go without scratching myself, no matter what!” His words carried the weight of a challenge, a

Kalulu the Hare beats a drum inside a pumpkin in the Elephant’s belly, Zambian Luchazi folktale.

Kalulu and the Elephant: A Zambian Folktale

Kalulu the Hare was known throughout the land for his tireless energy

Kalulu the hare, disguised as a witchdoctor, saves the Lion from a snake in a Luchazi folktale.

Kalulu and the Lion: A Luchazi Folktale from Zambia

Long ago, when the Lion ruled as the mighty king of the

Illustration of Mouse gnawing mahogany tree to win his wife in Congolese folktale.

How the Mouse Won His Wife: A Congolese Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Congolese (DRC) Folktales

Long ago, in a quiet village, a husband and wife welcomed the birth of a daughter. From the very beginning, the father declared that only a man strong enough

Leopard stuck to wooden Nkondi fetish in Congolese folktale with Gazelle nearby.

The Leopard and the Nkondi: A Wooden Fetish | A Congolese Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Congolese (DRC) Folktales

In the distant past, when the world was young and the forests of the Congo echoed with the voices of animals, the Leopard and the Gazelle were neighbours. Both

Partridge’s eggs guarded by python, saved by ants in Congolese folktale.

How the Ants Rescued the Partridge’s Eggs : A Congolese Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Congolese (DRC) Folktales

Once upon a time, deep within the lush forests of the Congo, a Partridge carefully laid her eggs in a hidden nest. She nestled them tenderly, protecting them with

Leopard boiling a pot while clever Gazelle escapes as dog in Congolese folktale.

The Leopard and His Mother’s Teeth: A Congolese Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Congolese (DRC) Folktales

In the heart of the African forest, where the air was thick with the scent of wild herbs and the rustle of unseen creatures, a clever Gazelle returned home

Dog chasing Palm-rat in a Congolese folktale with Hawk and Eagle flying away.

Why the Dog and the Palm-Rat Hate Each Other: A Congolese Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Congolese (DRC) Folktales

Long ago, in the lush forests and grasslands of Central Africa, four unusual companions, the Dog, the Palm-rat, the Hawk, and the Eagle set out together on a journey.

Chief scolding fowls, Head Cock responding proudly, Akan folktale from Ghana.

Why Fowls Never Shut Their Doors: A Traditional African Folktale

African Folktales·Ghanaian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, in a village where animals and humans shared close ties, there lived a chief who owned a great number of fowls. These birds, though lively and colourful,

Gazelle boasting at dice game, animals listening, Central African folktale.

The Gazelle’s Trick and the Leopard’s Loss: A Traditional African Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Central African Republic Folktales

Once upon a time, deep in the forest, a Leopard became the proud mother of seven cubs. She loved her young ones dearly, but motherhood also came with responsibility.

Illustration of Driver-ant and Small-ant in a Congolese folktale, showing patience triumphing over pride and strength.

The Driver-Ant and the Small-Ant: A Folktale from Congo

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Congolese (DRC) Folktales

Long ago, deep in the heart of the Congo, two ants of very different natures began an argument that would leave the forest creatures a timeless lesson. One was

Cock Fowl tricks Leopard with a clever head-hiding illusion in a Congolese folktale.

The Cock Fowl and the Leopard | A Congolese Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Congolese (DRC) Folktales

Once upon a time, in a village deep within the Congo forests, a friendship grew between an unlikely pair, a cock Fowl and a Leopard. Though one was small

Lion and Hyena collide at house doorway, giraffe with red cloth, Wolof folktale from Senegal.

The Lion, the Hyena, and the House of Panic | A Senegalese Folktale

African Folktales·Senegalese Folktales·West African Folktales·Wolof Folktales

In the heart of the African bush, where tall grasses sway in the wind and the air hums with the songs of unseen birds, two creatures, Lion and Hyena,

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