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Central African Folktales - Page 15

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 plays the magic drum in Equatorial Guinea folktale as Leopard, King Maseni, and villagers watch in wonder.

The Magic Drum: Tortoise, Leopard, and King Maseni (Equatorial Guinea Folktale)

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in the time when both humans and animals lived together in one land, King Maseni ruled over a country where all tribes, human and beast, built towns

Leopard and forest animals with nephew by stream, scene from Equatorial Guinean folktale of greed and betrayal.

Leopard’s Hunting Companions: An Equatorial Guinean Folktale of Greed, Deception, and Consequences

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in the deep forests of Equatorial Guinea, Leopard lived with his companions and his sister’s son in the same town. Among his friends were Etoli the House-Rat,

Equatorial Guinean folktale of Tortoise tricking Leopard by the river with an egg-like object.

The Deceptions of Tortoise: An Equatorial Guinean Folktale of Greed, Pride, and Consequences

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in the deep forests of Equatorial Guinea, where rivers shimmered like polished bronze and the air rang with bird calls, Tortoise (Kudu) and Leopard (Nja) built a

Parchment-style drawing of Njaku and Koho’s encounter; African folktale about pride and fatal envy.

Njaku the Elephant and Koho the Parrot

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In the distant days when witchcraft still held sway over the land and the customs of the ancestors governed every aspect of life, there lived in separate but neighboring

Parchment-style drawing of Unyunge blowing embers, Po watching vigilantly; African folktale scene.

Unyunge the Shrew Mouse and Po the Lemur

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In the ancient days when the world was still young and the boundaries between animal and human territories were not yet firmly drawn, there existed a bustling town inhabited

Parchment-style African folktale illustration of Mbela the Eagle perched above Nja the Leopard near acacia trees.

The Eagle and Leopard Hunting Contest

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

Deep in the heart of the African wilderness, where ancient baobab trees cast long shadows across the golden savanna and the rhythm of life pulsed through every creature’s heartbeat,

Parchment-style illustration of Ngiya the Gorilla and Ingenda the Monkey in an African forest scene.

Ngiya and Ingenda in the Forest of Truth

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In the heart of the ancient African forest, where towering trees stretched their branches toward the heavens and the air hummed with the sounds of countless creatures, lived Ngiya

Squirrel mourning from a tree as hunter discovers swollen Adder below in this Equatorial Guinean folktale.

The Quarrel of Squirrel and Adder: An Equatorial Guinean Folktale on Friendship, Pride, and Betrayal

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in the heart of Equatorial Guinea’s lush forests, two unlikely companions lived as neighbors and friends, Squirrel, known as Ihendi, and Adder, the serpent Pe. They often visited

Dog loves fire, Squirrel eats bananas, both meeting tragic ends in an Equatorial Guinean folktale.

Dog and Squirrel: The Peril of Excess

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in a time when animals lived together as neighbors in one village, peace lasted only briefly. Among them were Mbwa the Dog, Mbala the Squirrel, and Kudu

Igwana tricks a leopard cub in an Equatorial Guinean folktale of betrayal, cunning, and survival.

Igwana’s Forked Tongue: An Equatorial Guinean Folktale of Betrayal and Survival

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in a quiet village of Equatorial Guinea, two unlikely friends lived at opposite ends of the settlement, Ngambi the Igwana and Nja the Leopard. Both had large households;

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