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Oyebode Ayoola

Parchment-style illustration of Anansi tricking Ant into carrying a heavy box, Ashanti folktale from Ghana.

Why Ants Carry Bundles as Big as Themselves

by Oyebode Ayoola

African Folktales·Ghanaian Folktales·West African Folktales

Kweku Anansi, the trickster spider of Ashanti tales, was well known for his cunning ways. He and his son, Kweku Tsin, were both skilled farmers who usually enjoyed plentiful harvests. Their farms had always been fruitful, with yams, beans, and maize ripening under their care. But one year misfortune struck. They had sown their seeds as usual, waiting for the

Parchment-style illustration of Bat fleeing into night sky as animals watch angrily, Nigerian folktale explaining his flight.

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Why the Bat Flies by Night

Long ago, when animals still lived in harmony and often spoke together, there was a great friendship between the Bat and the Squirrel. They were inseparable companions, always seen together in the forest. The Bat, clever and quick-witted, admired the Squirrel’s playful energy, while the Squirrel trusted the Bat’s wisdom

Parchment-style African folktale illustration showing clever Jackal outwitting mighty Lion on a rocky cliff.

The Clever Little Jackal and the Lion

Long ago, when animals lived, spoke, and hunted much like people, there

Parchment-style illustration of sly Jackal tricking angry Lion near cave, African folktale about wit over strength.

The Lion and the Jackal

In the wild and open plains of South Africa, where the sun

Turtle at ant-hill, burnt Partridge nearby, Angolan folktale bushfire scene.

Partridge And Turtle: An Angolan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Pride and Wisdom

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, in the grasslands of Angola, where the tall dry reeds swayed like restless dancers and the red earth cracked beneath the sun, two creatures lived side by

Illustration of Hog dragged by villagers from sty, with Boar watching from forest, from Angolan folktale.

How the Hog Learned Too Late: An Angolan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Wisdom and Heeding Advice

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, when the forests of Angola were thick with towering trees and the earth smelled of damp leaves after rain, two kinsmen lived side by side: Hog, the

Dog eats mush by the hearth as Jackal howls in the wilderness, Angolan folktale scene.

How Dog Chose the Village Over the Wild: An Angolan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Temptation and Contentment

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, when the bushlands of Angola stretched endlessly with tall grasses and the distant cries of animals, Dog and Jackal lived as close kinsmen. They roamed together through the

Dog beaten during hunt as Lizard watches from tree, illustrating honesty and trust in Angolan folktale.

How Dog and Lizard Tested Truth: An Angolan Folktale that Teaches Lessons on Honesty and Trust

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, in the villages of the Kimbundu people of Angola, there lived two unlikely friends, Dog and Lizard. Though they were very different in nature, one always roaming with

Dog grabs chicken during coronation, losing his crown, villagers shocked. Traditional Angolan folktale scene.

How the Dog Lost the Crown: An Angolan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Greed and Discipline

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, in the wide villages of Angola, where the red earth carried the weight of countless footsteps and the air pulsed with the sound of drums, a great

Squirrel loses throne to Lion after Mole discovers water in Angolan folktale teaching wisdom and self-control.

How the Squirrel Lost the Throne: An Angolan Folktale that Teaches Lessons on Wisdom and Self-Control

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, in the lands of the Kimbundu people of Angola, the animals gathered to choose a ruler. The forest was alive with chatter as they spoke of leadership, justice,

Hare’s glowing eyes frighten Jackal in the Angolan bush, traditional African folktale scene of wit and fear.

Jackal and Hare: An Angolan Folktale that Teaches Lessons on Greed, Pride, and Deceit

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In the heart of Angola, where the bush stretches wide with tall grasses swaying in the wind and the shadows of acacia trees paint the earth, there lived two

Fox attacks Cock by the neck in this Kimbundu Angolan folktale about trust, betrayal, and false friendship.

Trust and Betrayal Between the Cock and the Fox: An Angolan Folktale that Teaches Lessons on False Friendship

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In the old days, when animals walked the earth like neighbors and friends, there was Cock, proud yet trusting, and Fox, sly and restless. The two had grown close, often

A proud fox and a humble mole in drought-stricken Angola, symbolizing pride versus patience in folklore.

The Fox and the Mole: An Angolan Folktale of Pride and Humility

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In the valleys of Angola, where the red earth carries the footprints of generations and the tall grasses whisper with the wind, there lived two very different creatures: a

Elephant carries Frog with reins and twig, mocked by village girls in this Angolan folktale scene.

The Elephant and the Frog: An Angolan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Deception and Pride

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In the villages of Angola, where red earth paths curve between tall grasses and the laughter of young girls fills the evening air, a story is often told of

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