African Folktales

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Guinea-Bissauan Folktales

Traditional folktales from Guinea-Bissauan (Guinea-Bissau), passed down through generations in West African Folktales.

Parchment-style illustration of a clever hyena beside a fish trap at dawn in the African savanna.

The Hyena, the Hare, and the Holly

by Aimiton Precious

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

In the heart of the African savanna, where the great river wound its way through golden grasslands like a silver serpent, there lived a hyena whose reputation for ingenuity was matched only by his love of fresh fish. This was no ordinary scavenger who waited for carrion on the plains, this hyena had discovered the ancient art of trapping, and

Parchment-style illustration of African falcon flying above as vulture watches, symbol of pride and fate.

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

The Proud Falcon’s Fall

In the ancient days when the great birds of Africa still held council together and argued fiercely about their place in the natural order, there lived a Falcon whose arrogance soared even higher than his magnificent wings could carry him. This particular bird was blessed with gifts that made him

Parchment-style illustration of West African shoemaker being crowned king after matching sacred height in town square.

How a Poor Shoemaker Became King

In a kingdom nestled between emerald hills and silver streams, there existed

Parchment-style illustration of West African hare tricking hyena into being tied up in bean garden.

The Trickster Hare and the Bean Garden

In a time when the sun painted golden shadows across the vast

Parchment-style illustration of Cape Verdean hare singing to boy beneath fig tree, casting spell with sweet melody.

The Enchanting Hare and Fig Tree

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

In the lush landscapes of Guinea-Bissau, where the tropical winds carried the scent of rich earth and distant ocean, there lived a hardworking man who tended a beautiful garden

Parchment-style illustration of West African conductor emerging from coffin in candonga truck as terrified passengers leap off.

The Candonga Driver and Death

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

In the dusty outskirts of a West African town, where the red earth stretched endlessly toward distant horizons and the air shimmered with heat waves that danced like spirits,

Parchment-style illustration of kind West African girl offering water to emerald snake at riverbank with calabash.

The Kind Stepsister Magic Reward

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

In a small village where the morning mist clung to thatched roofs like gossamer veils and the scent of woodsmoke mingled with blooming jasmine, there lived a widow whose

Parchment-style illustration of West African prince kneeling as jealous brothers glare behind him in palace hall.

The Three Royal Brothers

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

In a magnificent kingdom where golden spires reached toward the heavens and marble halls echoed with the footsteps of nobility, there ruled a king whose heart carried a burden

Parchment-style illustration of West African father embracing daughter beside misty river, symbol of sacred promise kept.

The Sacred Promise: A tale of promises

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

In a time when words carried the weight of sacred oaths and a man’s honor was measured by his faithfulness to his promises, there lived a father whose wisdom

Parchment-style illustration of West African elder brother watching younger sibling greedily gather treasure inside magic cave.

The Two Brothers and the Magic Cave

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

In a small town nestled between rolling hills and whispering forests, there once lived two brothers who shared the same blood but possessed hearts as different as summer and

Parchment-style illustration of West African curious bird inspecting sleeping owl’s fake horns in forest clearing.

The Curious Bird and Owl’s Secret

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

In the time when the world was still soft and new, when the first rains had barely settled the dust of creation and the great baobab trees were still

Parchment-style illustration of Tedungal kneeling before elder near mango tree in Guinea-Bissau village, honoring truth.

The Honest Man’s Test

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

In the rolling hills of a distant Guinea-Bissau village, where mango trees cast long shadows over dusty paths and the air hummed with the songs of evening birds, there

Parchment-style illustration of African tortoise winning race against monkey in forest, tale of wisdom and pride.

The Race Between Monkey and Tortoise

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

In the heart of an ancient African forest, where towering trees formed a green cathedral beneath the endless sky, lived a Monkey whose pride in his own speed knew

Parchment-style illustration of African hunter and hare judging trapped crocodile by riverbank, tale of justice.

The Ungrateful Crocodile

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

The blazing African sun hung high in a cloudless sky, casting shimmering waves of heat across the vast savanna. Along the muddy banks of a great river that wound

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