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Zambian Folktales

Traditional folktales from Zambian (Zambia), passed down through generations in Southern African Folktales.

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

How the Monkeys Came to Be: A Zambian Folktale

by Ayomide Adekilekun

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Long ago, in the heart of the African wilderness, there lay a quiet glade where a humble tribe had built their huts. The people lived in harmony with nature and with one another, sharing food, laughter, and the struggles of daily life. Among them lived a frail old man and his equally gaunt wife. They were always complaining of hunger

Parchment-style illustration of Savitri confronting Spirit of Death under tree; Zambian folktale of love and courage.

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

The Woman Who Conquered Death

The Chief’s Prayer Answered Long ago, in the heart of the great lands of Zambia, there ruled a mighty chief who possessed everything a man could desire, wealth, respect, many wives, and vast territories yet his heart remained heavy with sorrow. For eighteen long years, he had no children to

Kalulu the hare, disguised as a witchdoctor, saves the Lion from a snake in a Luchazi folktale.

Kalulu and the Lion: A Luchazi Folktale from Zambia

Long ago, when the Lion ruled as the mighty king of the

Illustration of Kalulu the Hare tricking the Lion in a Bemba folktale from Zambia.

How Kalulu Outsmarted the Lion: A Zambian Bemba Folktale

The Lion, king of the forest, had once again become uncontrollable. His

Parchment-style illustration of Luyando playing kalimba as River Spirit rises; Zambian folktale from Luapula River.

Luyando and the River Spirit

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

In the days when the Luapula River flowed wide and wild through the heart of Zambia, there lived a young musician named Luyando in the bustling town of Mwense.

Parchment-style illustration of Chanda offering honey cakes to stern old woman; Zambian folktale from Zambezi River.

When a Dozen Became Thirteen

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Long ago, in a bustling village nestled along the life-giving banks of the Zambezi River, where the waters flowed wide and strong and fishermen cast their nets at dawn,

Illustration of Jackal howling at the Moon holding his stolen golden spear in a traditional Zambian folktale scene.

Why the Jackal Howls at the Moon: A Folktale from Zambia

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Long ago, deep within the dark forests of Zambia, there lived a mighty Jackal. He was no ordinary creature, large, strong, and feared by every animal around him. At

Two wax maidens resting beneath a tree in a Zambian folktale, admired by a young farmer.

The Wax-Maidens: A Zambian Folktale of Beauty and Fragility

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

In a quiet Zambian village, deep within the forest, lived the wife of a hunter who possessed a rare and gifted hand. With clay, tree gum, and beeswax, she

Milika at the shrine, children emerging from monkey fruit, traditional Zambian folktale illustration.

Milika’s Children: A Zambian Folktale

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Chanda married Milika because she was not only beautiful but also wise and modest. For five years, they lived in harmony and happiness, but sorrow slowly crept into their

Muti discovers her tiny magical husband rising from the pot in this Bemba folktale from Zambia.

Muti Gets a Husband: A Bemba Folktale from Zambia

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Muti was an orphan, left to face the harshness of life from her earliest days. She lost her parents when she was only a small child, and with their

Chipila fills the fourth gourd of cowries as a ghostly ancestor spirit appears in this Zambian Bemba folktale.

The Fourth Gourd of Cowrie: A Zambian Folktale

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Chipila and Zongwe were more than just neighbours; they were brothers in spirit. Their huts stood side by side, their farms shared a boundary, and their lives intertwined through

Illustration of Bemba women pounding corn, pestles hitting low sky, from the Zambian folktale Why the Sky Is So High.

Why the Sky Is So High: A Zambian Folktale

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Long ago, in the heart of Zambia, people believed that the sky hung close to the earth, resting over them like the roof of a vast shelter. It was

Kalulu the Hare bows before the Chief beside a boiling pot in this Bemba folktale from Zambia.

How Kalulu Outsmarted the Cruel Chief: A Zambian Bemba Folktale

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Once, word reached Kalulu the Hare of a cruel custom in a neighbouring village, where a proud Chief and his vain daughter devised a merciless test for young men

Illustration of Kalulu the Hare defeating the Snake in a Bemba folktale from Zambia.

Kalulu, the Hare, and the Snake: A Bemba Folktale from Zambia

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Chief Mukulu’s chiefdom was in turmoil. Fear hung thick in the air, keeping men, women, and children locked inside their huts. No one dared work in the fertile fields

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