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Central African Folktales - Page 9

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

The King’s daughter facing the devil in a Benga folktale from Equatorial Guinea.

The King’s Daughter and the Devil

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago in a coastal kingdom of the Benga people, there lived a mighty king whose wealth stretched beyond measure. His palace was filled with ivory, coral, and gold,

The tortoise outwitting the elephant in a Benga folktale from Equatorial Guinea.

The Elephant and the Tortoise

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in the villages of the Benga people, the animals of the forest lived under the shadow of the mighty elephant. He was strong, towering above all others,

swine trying to speak in a Benga folktale from Equatorial Guinea, surrounded by animals in a forest clearing.

Why Swine Lost Their Speech

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, when the world was young and the forest had not yet settled into silence, animals and people shared one common tongue. Their voices echoed through the villages,

Hyena striking a large drum as animals watch in the forest - Gabonese folktale

The Hyena and the Drum

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

Once upon a time, in the deep forests of Gabon where the Mpongwe people told stories under the moonlight, the animals gathered in the great clearing to share news.

Spider caught after stealing food from the animals’ pot in a Gabonese folktale

The Spider’s Trick on the Animals

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

Long ago, when the animals lived together in villages and shared their food, there was one among them who was known for his cleverness and trickery. This was Spider.

Parchment-style illustration of kind boy offering lost dish to wise old woman near hut; African folklore, Cameroon.

The Lost Dish: An African Folktale

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

In the days when spirits walked more freely between worlds and magic dwelt in the simplest acts of kindness, there lived a man blessed with two wives, each bearing

A tortoise standing calmly as a thundercloud roars above the forest - Gabonese folktale

The Thunder and the Tortoise

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

Long ago, in the days when the earth was still new, the sky spoke often to the land. Among the voices of the sky, none was more feared than

Parchment-style illustration of two boys choosing magical pots in forest spirit realm; Beba folklore from Cameroon.

The Boys and the Magic Pots

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales

This story was passed down through generations, from grandmother to mother to child, teaching the ancient wisdom that flows like rivers through the hills of Cameroon. It is a

A crab at the riverbank moving toward the water while a leopard watches from the forest - Gabonese folktale

Why the Crab Lives in the Water

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

Long ago, when the earth was young and animals lived together in villages like people, there was a time of constant quarrels. Each animal wanted to prove its strength,

Animals and birds arguing in a village clearing, with Leopard and birds in conflict - Gabonese folktale

The Quarrel of the Beasts and the Birds

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

Long ago, in the green forests of Gabon, the animals and the birds lived together in peace. The forest was alive with sound, as the cries of the beasts

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