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Southern African Folktales

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

Parchment-style illustration of sly Jackal tricking angry Lion near cave, African folktale about wit over strength.

The Lion and the Jackal

by Oyebode Ayoola

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In the wild and open plains of South Africa, where the sun burned fiercely during the day and the nights were alive with the sounds of animals, there lived two unlikely companions: the Lion and the Jackal. The Lion was mighty, feared by all creatures. His roar echoed across the grasslands, and his strength made him king of the beasts.

Parchment-style African folktale illustration showing clever Jackal outwitting mighty Lion on a rocky cliff.

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

The Clever Little Jackal and the Lion

Long ago, when animals lived, spoke, and hunted much like people, there was a little Jackal who was as sharp-witted as he was quick on his feet. One day, while roaming the bush in search of food, Jackal crossed paths with the mighty Lion. Lion, proud and strong, suggested they

Illustration of greedy old couple turning into monkeys on a tree, from a Zambian folktale.

How the Monkeys Came to Be: A Zambian Folktale

Long ago, in the heart of the African wilderness, there lay a

Parchment-style illustration of Jackal lying dead in road as wagon of fish

The Jackal and the Wolf

In the wide, open lands of South Africa, near the colony’s borders,

A young Zulu boy stands on a grassy hill with his arms outstretched as swirling winds form the shape of a glowing spirit around him

The Child and the Wind Spirit

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In a small Zulu village surrounded by rolling green hills, there lived a boy named Lindo whose laughter was as wild as the wind itself. He was known across

An elderly Xhosa woman weaves outside her hut at night, her golden threads glowing and rising into the starry sky above the hills

The Woman Who Wove the Night Sky

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In a quiet valley where the wind carried the songs of the ancestors, there once lived an old woman named Nomvula. Her back was bent with age, and her

a Tswana traveler kneeling beside a glowing river under the moonlight as luminous stones sing softly, surrounded by acacia trees and desert hills

The River of Singing Stones

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, in the heart of the Kalahari, there lived a traveller named Tumo, a man who roamed from village to village carrying only a walking stick and a

a Venda girl standing in a moonlit forest surrounded by glowing fireflies that light up the night, symbolising courage and inner light

The Girl Who Spoke to Fireflies

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In the quiet hills of Venda, where mist clings to the trees at dawn and the nights are alive with the hum of crickets, there once lived a young

A majestic lion stands on the golden plains of South Africa at sunset, watching other animals live peacefully together

The Lion Who Forgot His Roar

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In the heart of the South African plains, where the tall grasses whispered secrets to the wind and the sun burned gold across the land, there lived a lion

a Zulu girl holding a drum on a hill as rain begins to fall over the savannah, symbolising renewal and sacrifice

The Girl Who Brought Back the Rain

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, when rivers still whispered to the mountains and the winds carried the voices of spirits, there was a village that had forgotten the sound of rain. The

Parchment-style illustration of African mother weeping by river with baby as old woman emerges from willow trees.

The Sacred Milk of Koumongoe

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In a land where the sun blazed hot and unforgiving, there lived a humble family, a father, a mother, and their two children. The son, Koane, was responsible for

Parchment-style illustration of South African hyena falling from cloud as jackal dodges, trickster tale from the Karroo.

Why the Hyena Limps

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

“It was Tante Hyena that Jakhals cheated more than anyone else,” Outa Karel began, shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and pity. His wrinkled face crinkled even

Parchment-style illustration of South African lion and ostrich facing off on veld, surrounded by antelope carcasses.

The Lion and the Ostrich

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

“Once upon a time,” began Outa Karel, his voice settling into that ancient rhythm that meant a grand tale was coming, and his audience of three children looked up

Parchment-style illustration of South African jackal sneaking away as hyena sleeps with fat-smeared tail near wagon.

Who Was the Thief?

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

“Yes, my baasjes,” Outa Karel began, his ancient voice rich with meaning, “so was Oom Jakhals he always pretended to forget all about what he had done, and he

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