Timeless African folktales retold for a new generation
The River Maiden
In the heart of Yorubaland, where the Oṣun River winds like a silver snake through forests and farms, stood the village of Olódò. The people lived by the river’s gifts. It watered their yam fields, filled their pots with tilapia, and carried canoes laden with palm oil to far-off markets.
The Cannibal Woman
Long ago, in a Somali village, there lived a terrifying woman who
The Man Who Never Lied
Once upon a time in the lands of Kenya, there lived a
The Lion, the Hyaena, and the Fox: A Tigrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Greed and Wisdom
Once, in the wide plains where the sun burned golden over the tall grass and the wind carried the scent of earth after rain, a lion and a hyaena
The Guenon, the Baboon, and the Lion: A Tigrean Folktale from Eritrea That Teaches Lessons on Cunning and Consequences
Once upon a time, in the rugged highlands of Eritrea where rocky caves provided shelter and algen trees spread their shade across the dry earth, there lived three very
The Boar and the Elephants: An Eritrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Fate and Misfortune
Once upon a time, in the dense forests of Eritrea where shadows of tall trees stretched long across the earth, a wandering boar found himself in the company of
The Council of the Mice: An Eritrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Courage and Caution
Long ago, when shadows stretched long across the dusty earth and the moonlight silvered the quiet fields, the mice of a village lived in constant fear. Their old and
The Man, the Serpent, and the Fox: An Eritrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Gratitude and Betrayal
Once, long ago, a man went to the riverbank to gather brushwood, unaware that danger lurked in the grass. Suddenly, a serpent leapt upon him, coiling tightly around his
The Boar, the Fox, and the Man: An Eritrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Trust and Deception
In the highlands of Eritrea, where the soil lies red beneath the plough and the thorny hedges rise to guard men’s labor, a tale is told of a man,
The Tale of the Ox, the Sheep, the Chicken, and the Donkey: An Eritrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Unity and Cunning
High upon a lonely mountain in Eritrea, four animals made their home: the ox, the sheep, the chicken, and the donkey. Life on that rocky height was harsh. The
The Tale of the Two Donkey-Owners: An Eritrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Freedom and Desire
On a long road winding through the rugged highlands of Eritrea, two men journeyed beneath the morning sun, each guiding a donkey by his side. The air was sharp
Do Not Impose on the Weak: An Equatorial Guinean Folktale that Teaches Lessons on Justice and Patience
Long ago, in the lush villages of Equatorial Guinea, two neighbors lived apart yet knew each other well: Yongolokodi the Chameleon and Nja the Leopard. Each had his own
Imana and the Quest for Death: A Burundian Folktale
Long ago, when the land of Burundi was still being shaped by divine hands, Imana, the supreme being, walked among men. He traveled across the rolling green downlands of central
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