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

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

The Clever Little Jackal and the Lion

Long ago, when animals lived, spoke, and hunted much like people, there was a little Jackal who was as sharp-witted as he was quick on his feet. One day, while roaming the bush in search of food, Jackal crossed paths with the mighty Lion. Lion, proud and strong, suggested they

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

Why the Bat Flies by Night

Long ago, when animals still lived in harmony and often spoke together,

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

Illustration of Eritrean Ad Takles warriors divided into rival factions with spears and shields in the highland plains.

The ʿAd Takles: An Eritrean Tigrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Unity and Division

Long ago, in the rugged highlands of Eritrea, there lived a proud lineage known as the ʿAd Takles. They traced their bloodline to Galaydos, whose descendants gave birth to

Wild ox trapped by horns in branches while hunters and dogs close in, Madagascan folktale scene.

The Wild Ox: A Madagascan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Pride and Humility

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Madagascan Folktales

Long ago, in the fertile valleys of Madagascar, a mighty wild ox roamed freely. He had no hump upon his back, yet he stood tall and broad, his hide sleek

Illustration of frogs and heron in a Madagascan folktale about leadership, contentment, and wisdom.

Frogs and the Heron: A Madagascan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Contentment and Leadership

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Madagascan Folktales

Long ago, in the heart of Madagascar, the frogs of a wide, rippling pond lived together in peace. The waters were cool, ringed with reeds, lilies, and tall grasses that

Illustration of big eel and little eel from Madagascan folktale, showing hook trap and fisherman’s danger.

The Big Eel and the Little Eel: A Madagascan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Obedience and Wisdom

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Madagascan Folktales

Long ago, in the watery depths where rivers wound their way through the land of the Antambahoaka people, there lived two eels, one great and strong, the other small

Crocodile trapped by baited hook while villagers attack, from a traditional Madagascan folktale of wisdom and caution.

The Crocodile and the Pig: A Madagascan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Friendship and Betrayal

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Madagascan Folktales

Long ago, in the heart of Madagascar, the crocodile and the pig shared an unusual friendship. Bound not by chance but by a solemn blood oath, they trusted one

Guinea fowl with smooth feathers and takatra with crest tufts beneath a nato tree. Malagasy folktale scene.

The Guinea Fowl and the Takatra: A Madagascan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Gratitude and Reciprocity

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Madagascan Folktales

Long ago, in the villages of Madagascar, when animals still shared their voices with humans and the forest echoed with their laughter and quarrels, there lived two proud companions:

Snake lunges at frog by pond reeds in a Malagasy folktale about pride, deceit, and revenge.

Why Snakes Eat Frogs: A Madagascan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Pride and Revenge

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Madagascan Folktales

Long ago, in the time when animals still made pacts and spoke with voices like our own, a snake met a frog on the edge of a quiet pond.

Takatra bird confronts owl inside house, other birds watching fearfully, Malagasy folktale illustration style.

The Takatra and the Owl: A Malagasy Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Betrayal and Broken Promises

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Madagascan Folktales

The takatra and the owl once swore themselves as blood brothers. At first, their bond seemed strong, but what began as trust would soon unravel into betrayal, trickery, and

Wild Cat, Dog, and Rooster in a tense Malagasy village scene, teaching lessons on loyalty and consequences.

The Hedgehog and the Wild Cat: A Madagascan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Deception and Consequences

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Madagascan Folktales

It is told among the Betsileo people of Madagascar that once, long ago, a hedgehog and a wild cat swore a blood pact, binding their lives together as brothers. The

Illustration of wild cat, dog, and rooster in a Malagasy folktale about loyalty, betrayal, and friendship

The Wild Cat, the Dog, and the Rooster: A Madagascan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Loyalty and Consequences

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Madagascan Folktales

Long ago in Madagascar, three unlikely companions, a wild cat, a dog, and a rooster, swore a blood pact of friendship. Bound by this solemn promise, they declared themselves brothers,

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