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Mpongwe Folktales - Page 2

The Mpongwe are a Bantu ethnic group of Gabon, traditionally settled along the coast near Libreville. Their folktales often feature trickster animals, moral lessons, and themes of community life. These stories preserve the wisdom and values of the Mpongwe people.

Monkey laughing from a tree while Leopard growls angrily below in a Gabonese forest

Why Monkey Mocked Leopard

by Elizabeth Fabowale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

Deep in the forests of Gabon, where the tall trees swayed and the rivers whispered through the undergrowth, Leopard ruled as the most feared hunter. His sharp claws and swift leaps brought down antelope and bush pig alike. The animals spoke his name in whispers, for no creature wished to cross his path. Yet among them was Monkey, quick and

A boastful frog on a riverbank in Gabon, challenging a sparrow in the air and fish in the river - Gabonese folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

The Boastful Frog

In the lush forests and rivers of Gabon, where the air echoed with the songs of birds and the rush of flowing waters, there lived a frog who thought himself the greatest of all creatures. His skin glistened green in the sunlight, and his strong legs gave him the power

Tortoise hiding in his shell while Leopard looks frustrated - Gabonese folktale

The Tortoise and the Leopard

Deep in the forests of Gabon, where tall trees reached toward the

A lonely hyena sits with piles of meat while other animals keep away - Gabonese folktale

Why Hyena Was Left Alone

In the deep forests of Gabon, where the air hung heavy with

Tortoise speaking wisely to Leopard and other animals under a silk-cotton tree in a Gabonese folktale

The Broken Promise

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

In the land of the Mpongwe people of Gabon, there lived Tortoise, a creature admired for his cleverness but often distrusted for his sly ways. He was known throughout

a proud crocodile on a riverbank in Gabon boasting to animals as storm clouds gather - Gabonese folktale

The Proud Crocodile

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

In the wide rivers of Gabon, where the Mpongwe people cast their nets and the trees bow to the flowing waters, there lived a crocodile unlike the rest. He

A lazy man trapped in a forest pit while Spider looks down with a cunning smile - Gabonese folktale

The Lazy Man and the Spider

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

Long ago in a village near the great forests of Gabon, there lived a man who hated to work. He always looked for ways to escape labor while expecting

A greedy hunter in a Gabonese forest setting too many traps, with a leopard caught and ready to attack - Gabonese folktale

The Greedy Hunter

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

Long ago, in the deep green forests of Gabon, where the tall trees whispered with the wind and the rivers sang their endless songs, there lived a hunter known

A sly hyena with a crooked smile sitting beside a large pile of food, while monkey, antelope, tortoise, and birds glare at their small portions

The Hyena’s Trick

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

In the forests of Gabon, where the tall trees spread wide branches and the earth smelled of fresh rain, the animals often gathered together to share food. They hunted,

a proud hunter failing to catch a tortoise in the forest as animals watch and laugh - Gabonese folktale

How Tortoise Humbled the Boasting Hunter

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

In the forests of Gabon, hunters and animals lived in constant watchfulness of one another. The hunter needed the forest to survive, while the animals depended on their wits

Crocodile judging a quarrel between Monkey and Antelope over bananas as Tortoise speaks wisely - Gabonese Folktale

The Crocodile’s Judgment

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

In the heart of Gabon’s lush forests, the animals lived in a fragile balance of peace and quarrel. When disagreements arose, they often sought the wisdom of the strongest

Tortoise outsmarts Elephant in a Gabonese forest with a rope trick

The Tortoise Tricks the Elephant

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

In the forests of Gabon, the Elephant was the mightiest of all animals. His tusks gleamed like ivory spears, his great ears flapped like sails, and his footsteps shook

Tortoise speaking to Crocodile on a Gabonese riverbank

Why the Crocodile Does Not Eat the Tortoise

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

Long ago, when the great rivers of Gabon flowed quietly under the sun and the forest animals gathered at the water’s edge, the Crocodile ruled the streams. He was

Leopard standing proudly in a Gabonese forest clearing as smaller animals gather with their prey - Gabonese folktale

Fairness in the Forest: Leopard’s Hunting Camp

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

In the deep forests of Gabon, where sunlight barely reached the forest floor and the sounds of animals echoed endlessly, Leopard was known as the strongest and most feared

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