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Central African Folktales - Page 14

Traditional folktales from Central African Folktales, passed down through generations.

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

Parchment-style African folktale scene of Sun and Moon escaping floodwaters caused by Water’s visiting family.

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky

Long, long ago, when the world was still young and the boundaries between earth and sky were not yet firmly established, the Sun and Moon lived together in a beautiful house on the earth. Their dwelling was a magnificent structure with walls that gleamed like polished gold in the morning

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

The Boastful Frog

In the lush forests and rivers of Gabon, where the air echoed

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

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

The King’s Test of the Animals

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

Long ago in the deep forests of Gabon, the animals lived together under the rule of a great king, Leopard. He was powerful and feared, for his sharp teeth

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,

Parchment-style drawing of hunter and magical dwarf summoning riches; African folktale about patience and reward.

The Hunter and Bwinge

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In the vast African wilderness, where the morning mist clung to ancient trees and the calls of exotic birds echoed through dense vegetation, there lived a man whose poverty

Parchment-style drawing of animals choosing food bundles at forge; African folktale about age and wisdom.

How Tortoise Solved the Age Riddle

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In the days when all the creatures of the forest lived together in harmony and sought the wisdom of those skilled in ancient crafts, there was a great mystery

Parchment-style drawing of Tortoise and Leopard in forest; African folktale about deception and forgotten vine.

Tortoise Covers His Ignorance

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In the heart of the African wilderness, where ancient customs governed the relationships between families and the bonds of marriage extended far beyond the couple themselves, there lived Kudu

Parchment-style drawing of sparrow and parrot debating inheritance under baobab; African folktale scene.

The Sparrow and the Parrot

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In the days when the boundaries between the human world and the animal kingdom were not as clearly drawn as they are today, there lived a man whose life

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