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Nigerian Folktales - Page 3

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,

The Woman with Two Skins

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the ancient kingdom of Calabar, where the Cross River flowed like liquid silver through dense forests and thriving settlements, a mighty king named Eyamba. His name echoed with

Ituen and the King’s Wife

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the ancient kingdom of Calabar, where the mighty Cross River wound its way through dense forests and bustling settlements, lived a young man named Ituen whose story would

The Clever Hunter’s Trick

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the bustling region of Calabar, where dense forests met thriving communities, lived a hunter named Effiong. His skill with bow and spear was legendary, and he earned great

The Tortoise’s beautiful daughter

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the days when kings ruled not only over men but commanded respect from all creatures of the forest, there lived a tortoise renowned throughout the land for his

Parchment-style illustration of tortoise tricking elephant and hippopotamus with a rope, West African folktale.

How the Tortoise Overcame the Elephant and the Hippopotamus

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the vast African wilderness, where rivers wound through thick forests and great beasts ruled the land, two mighty creatures often clashed, Elephant, king of the land, and Hippopotamus,

Parchment-style illustration of a pretty girl tricked into a pit by seven jealous women in an African folktale.

Of the Pretty Girl and the Seven Jealous Women

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In a quiet village, long ago, there lived a young girl whose beauty was known throughout the land. She was not only fair in appearance, but kind in heart,

Anansi tricks Nothing in a West African folktale, leading to his tragic fall into a deadly trap.”

Anansi and Nothing

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales

Long ago in West Africa, there lived two very different men who became neighbors. One was Anansi the Spider, sly and cunning as always, and the other was Nothing,

The Moon strikes the Hare, splitting his lip, after he delivers the wrong message about death – African folktale

The Origin of Death

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales

Long ago, in the earliest days of the world, life was very different from what we know now. In those times, men and women did not die. They grew

A mighty lion defeated by a small beetle crawling into his nose – African folktale

Lion’s Defeat: A Nigerian Folktale about Pride and Humility

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, when the world was still young and the animals had no fear of one another, Lion ruled the forest with unmatched strength. His roar echoed across the