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Central African Folktales - Page 8

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

Parchment-style the orphan in her transformed state dancing with her friend in the sky; Beba folktale of transformation

The Orphan’s Sky Dance

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In a village where the red earth met endless skies and ancient trees whispered secrets to those who would listen, there lived four daughters bound together by circumstances rather

Parchment-style illustration of Mbaka's wife stealing the magic ring; West African folktale of betrayal.

Mbaka and the Magic Ring

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In a village where the morning sun painted the earth in shades of gold and amber, there lived a man and his wife who found their greatest joy in

Parchment-style illustration of woman watching fish spirits vanish in river; West African folktale of greed.

The Greedy Woman and Fish Spirits

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In a village where the morning mist clung to thatched roofs like ancestral spirits watching over their descendants, there lived a young woman whose heart burned with an insatiable

Parchment-style illustration of Makuchi facing supernatural head; West African folktale of pride and deception

Makuchi and the Head without the body

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In the heart of a West African village, where the golden dust of the dry season painted everything in warm hues, lived a young woman whose beauty was matched

Parchment-style illustration of Baba fleeing across parted river with ghosts chasing; West African folktale scene.

Pride Before the Fall

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In a village where the red earth met endless skies, there lived a young woman whose beauty was spoken of in hushed, reverent tones across the land. Beautiful Baba

Parchment-style illustration of Manda bathing as spirit woman blesses her; West African folktale of kindness.

The Kind Sister’s Reward

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In a time when drums spoke the language of the spirits and rivers held ancient secrets, there lived a master craftsman named Tachi Nanga. Throughout the land, his name

Parchment-style illustration of Mandiengoh near fire with ghost watching; West African folktale of disobedience.

The Boy Who Wouldn’t Listen

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

The dry season had arrived with its familiar promise of harvest and renewal. Across the village, families prepared for the annual ritual of gathering the last precious achu-cocoyams from

Parchment-style illustration of spirit mother comforting son at grave; West African folktale scene

Mother’s Magic from the Grave

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In the time when the boundaries between the world of the living and the realm of spirits were as thin as morning mist, there lived a woman whose love

a majestic elephant with wide ears and strong legs – Benga folktale

The Origin of the Elephant

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

In the time when the earth was young and the world still searched for balance, the forest of Corisco Island was alive with birds, beasts, and streams. Antelopes leaped

A leopard challenging a ram in a Benga folktale from Equatorial Guinea.

The Leopard and the Ram

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

In the deep forests of Equatorial Guinea, where tall trees brushed the sky and rivers wound like silver snakes, lived a leopard who was feared by all the animals.

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