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Nigerian Folktales - Page 2

Traditional folktales from Nigerian (Nigeria), passed down through generations in West African Folktales.

A clever tortoise carrying a huge pile of yams on his back as his shell begins to crack, while birds and forest animals scatter in surprise – Igbo folktales

How the Tortoise Broke His Shell

Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Come closer, for this tale is older than the hills, older than the tallest trees in the forest. Long ago, in a lush village beside the great river, there lived a tortoise whose cunning and greed were known far and wide. His shell shone like polished ebony, smooth and strong, and all the animals admired him for his cleverness and

How compassion toward a magical fish transformed a poor fisherman's life in this classic folktale

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

The Lucky Fisherman: A Folktale of Kindness and Reward

Long ago, in a quiet village by the sea, there lived a fisherman. Every morning, before the first rays of the sun painted the sky, he would rise from his small mat, take up his worn net, and set out toward the shore. The sea was his only friend and

Clever tortoise tricking leopard near mountain village Sotho folklore Lesotho

The Clever Tortoise

The Clever Tortoise — A traditional Sotho Folktales from Lesotho

Parchment-style illustration of Bat fleeing into night sky as animals watch angrily, Nigerian folktale explaining his flight.

Why the Bat Flies by Night

Long ago, when animals still lived in harmony and often spoke together,

Parchment-style illustration of Mi O Mọ̀ seated with a Yoruba king, sharing wisdom in a regal setting.

The Foundling Hero

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales

In the ancient days when spirits still walked among mortals and the boundary between the seen and unseen worlds was thin as morning mist, a great chief of Ibadan

Parchment-style illustration of Adamma and Omalicha aiding a bearded dwarf, an Igbo folktale.

The Two Sisters and the Cursed Prince

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales

In the heart of ancient Igboland, where the forest whispered secrets to those who knew how to listen and the rivers sang lullabies to sleeping villages, there stood a

Parchment-style illustration of Moonlight resting in a carved chest, Efik folktale from Calabar, Nigeria.

The Moonlight and Sunlight

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the ancient days when the Cross River flowed with stories and the winds carried whispers of old magic through the mangrove forests, there ruled a great king among

Parchment-style illustration of Anwa bringing food to Nkoyo in Calabar courtyard, Nigerian folktale scene.

The Chief’s Daughter and Servant Girl

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, in the bustling village of Calabar where the Cross River met the Atlantic Ocean and palm wine flowed freely at evening gatherings, there lived a chief whose

Parchment-style illustration of Ekanem meeting Adiaha at a magical forest pool, Nigerian folktale scene.

Ekanem and the River Spirit’s Daughter

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, when the great rivers of Calabar flowed with the wisdom of ancient spirits and the forest held secrets older than memory, a young girl named Ekanem lived,

Parchment-style Yoruba folktale illustration of greedy tortoise struggling with heavy yam basket as dog walks away.

The Tortoise, the Dog, and the Farmer

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the ancient land of Kurumi, nestled in the heart of southwestern Nigeria, a terrible famine had settled over the villages like a dark shadow. The once-fertile fields lay

Parchment-style West African folktale illustration of chipmunk stealing cowries beneath sacred Iroko tree at night.

How the Chipmunk Got Its Stripes

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long, long ago, when the world was still young and animals could speak as clearly as humans do today, there lived a small creature in the deep jungle who

Parchment-style African folktale scene of clever tortoise leading decorated elephant toward village coronation ceremony.

How Tortoise Captured the Elephant

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the time when animals possessed the gift of speech and kingdoms were ruled by wisdom rather than warfare alone, there lived a powerful king whose greatest desire had

Parchment-style Yoruba folktale art of Ijapa the tortoise flying toward a sky feast on a bird’s wing.

Ijapa and the Sky Feast

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the days when animals spoke with human voices and walked upright like people, a terrible famine descended upon the animal kingdom like a dark cloud that refused to

tortoise caught with a basket of stolen yams while the dog runs away, from the Nigerian folktale

The Tortoise, the Dog and the Farmer

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, in the land of Kurumi in southwestern Nigeria, a famine struck with great force. The villages were dry and lifeless, crops failed, and streams offered little water.

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Nigerian Folktales - Page 2

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