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Inspired Tales

A creative collection of modern reimaginings inspired by Africa’s rich folklore. These tales draw from traditional themes, tricksters, and myths, offering fresh twists while honoring the spirit of African storytelling.

Southern Africa-Inspired Tales

Parchment-style illustration of American girl Mabel meeting forest witch after dropping figurines, from modern fairy tale.

Mabel and the Witch

by Aimiton Precious

African Folktales·Inspired Tales·West African Folktales

Once upon a time, in a place not so very far away, there lived a girl named Mabel and her mother, who was also named Mabel. This created quite a bit of confusion at the post office and the doctor’s office, so most folks simply called them Mabel and Mom, Mom being the mother, and Mabel being the daughter. Clear

Crowned snake before Maasai warrior in savanna Kenya folklore

Inspired Tales·West African Folktales

The Snake Chief

The Snake Chief — A traditional western African folktales

Eshu wearing a two colored hat walks between villagers arguing in a Yoruba village setting – Yoruba folktales

How Eshu Tested the Village

Long ago, before men knew all the ways of the gods, Eshu

Ostrich stealing fire from camp Nama folklore Namibia

The Ostrich and the Fire

The Ostrich and the Fire — A traditional Nama Folktales from Namibia

Effiong the Hunter

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

Ijapa the Tortoise Goes to Sky Feast

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

Why the Bat Flies by Night – Hausa Version

African Folktales·Inspired Tales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In old Kano, the world’s first fire belonged to the sun, who loaned its sparks to creatures for cooking and warmth. Among them was Bat, clever and restless, who

Why the Bat Flies by Night – Akan Version

African Folktales·Inspired Tales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the forests of Ashanti, Bat was once a respected drummer for the animal council. His wings beat time so well that dance and music felt the same. During

The Hyena’s Secret – Somali Version

African Folktales·Inspired Tales·North African Folktales

Hyena padded along the Guban plain where thorn trees lean like tired sentries and the wind keeps everyone’s business. His ribs showed like a comb, his eyes shone like

The Hyena’s Secret – Zulu Version

African Folktales·Inspired Tales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In the shadow of the Drakensberg, a kraal sat ringed by thorn branches, smoke rising in thin blue threads. Hyena, whose laugh could limp a goat’s courage, often circled

The Tortoise with a Pretty Daughter – Igbo Version

African Folktales·Inspired Tales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In Umuagu, a village where breadfruit trees shade gossip and the harmattan writes on every face, Tortoise, Mbekwu, had a daughter as lovely as ripe mango. Suitors came with

The Tortoise with a Pretty Daughter – Kikuyu Version

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Inspired Tales

Near the roots of a great mũgumo fig, where elders hold council and birds rehearse songs for the morning, lived Mũthoni, daughter of Tortoise, Ndũgui. Her face had the

Parchment-style illustration of European girl Olga meeting protective wolf in snowy forest after escaping armed stranger.

The Women and Wolves

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Inspired Tales

On opposite sides of a dark forest lived two girls named Olga and Lidia, bound by a friendship as old as their earliest memories. Throughout spring, summer, and autumn,

Parchment-style illustration of Bulgarian girl Maya meeting mother by stove during snowy reunion in cottage.

The Wood-Burning Stove

The blizzard raged outside, spinning snow into thick white curtains that obscured everything beyond the windowpane. Little Maya pressed her face against the cold glass, watching the storm, when

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