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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 the boastful man carrying the talking head in a Gambian folktale.

The Head | A Gambian Folktale

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, in a Gambian village, there lived a man known for his arrogance. He adorned himself with weapons and strode about with pride, boasting endlessly of his courage

Gambian folktale scene of Samba reclaiming his magic bowl as the bolde strikes the king’s court.

Samba and the Magic Bowl | A Gambian Folktale

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

In a small Gambian village, famine had tightened its grip. Crops withered in the fields, animals starved, and families wasted away slowly. Samba, a man who could no longer

Old Fatou delivers a jinn queen’s baby in a palace, from a Gambian folktale

Old Fatou and the Jinn | A Gambian Folktale

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

Everyone in the town knew Old Fatou. She was the midwife who had brought countless babies into the world. Families from the town itself and from nearby Bir sought

Samba Atta Dabo heals bewitched child, bourhama rites, Wolof folktale from The Gambia.

Samba Atta Dabo: The Bourhama of Thievaly | Wolof Folktale from Gambia

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

My name is Samba Atta Dabo, and I am the one who cares for those whom sorcerers have made ill. If evil has been done to a person, it

Mamadou meets Anta the jinn bride, Wolof folktale from The Gambia.

Mamadou and Anta: A Story Between Humans and Jinns | A Wolof Folktale from Gambia

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

There was once a man named Mamadou who longed for knowledge. Leaving his home in Oualo, he journeyed to Kayor in search of a school where he might learn

Yumboes stealing meal at night, pale spirits in pangs, Jaloff folklore, African folktale setting

The Yumboes: Spirits of the Jaloff People | An African Folktale

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

Across the mainland of Africa, opposite the small isle of Gorée, the Jaloff people tell of a mysterious race of beings known as the Yumboes. These spirits are believed

Elephant judge, Antelope with goats, Leopard, animal court — Angolan folktale.

The Lawsuit of Leopard and Antelope | An Angolan Folktale.

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In the dry season when grasses were thin and bartering kept the villages alive; Antelope went to Leopard with a simple request under the shade of a fever tree:

Hare traps Leopard in a basket with wit and courage in this classic Angolan folktale.

The Hare and the Leopard | An Angolan Folktale

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Hare plaited a long, sturdy basket and said to himself, “I will go to bind squashes in the field.” With determination, he set off along the dusty road that

Illustration of young goat tricking leopard into sack in traditional Angolan folktale setting

Kabidibidi the Young Leopard and Kabidibidi the Young Goat | An Angolan Folktale

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, in the warm lands of Angola, there lived two unlikely friends: Kabidibidi the young leopard and Kabidibidi the young goat. Though one was predator and the other

Leopard beating drum while Deer reveals truth, animals scatter, traditional Kimbundu folktale from Angola.

Leopard and the Other Animals | An Angolan Folktale

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, in the sunlit forests of Angola, Leopard lived as king among the beasts. One day, hunger gripped him fiercely, and his stomach growled with emptiness. Restless and

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