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African animal tales

A majestic lion stands on the golden plains of South Africa at sunset, watching other animals live peacefully together

The Lion Who Forgot His Roar

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In the heart of the South African plains, where the tall grasses whispered secrets to the wind and the sun burned gold across the land, there lived a lion named Tau. His mane was thick and shining, his claws sharp as stone, and his roar ah, his roar was said to echo from one end of the savannah to the

A lonely hyena sits with piles of meat while other animals keep away - Gabonese folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

Why Hyena Was Left Alone

In the deep forests of Gabon, where the air hung heavy with the scent of damp earth and the rivers carried songs through the trees, Hyena roamed with restless hunger. He was never satisfied. No matter how much meat he found, no matter how many scraps he stole from others,

A clever rat cautiously watches a large leopard pretending to be sick - Gabonese folktale

How Rat Outsmarted Leopard

In the heart of the Gabonese forest, where the trees towered and

Goat eating cassava peels near a human village while children watch - Benga folktale

Why Goats Became Domestic

Long ago, when the world was still young and the forests stretched

animals in the Malian savannah rejecting a greedy hyena who wanted to be king Mali folktale

The Hyena Who Wanted to Be King

African Folktales·Malian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago in the dry but fertile lands of the Sahel, the animals lived together in fragile peace. The sun burned hot above the golden grasses, and the nights

A boar, fox, and farmer in an Eritrean Tigrean folktale where misplaced trust and cunning advice lead to ruin.

The Boar, the Fox, and the Man: An Eritrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Trust and Deception

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Eritrean Folktales

In the highlands of Eritrea, where the soil lies red beneath the plough and the thorny hedges rise to guard men’s labor, a tale is told of a man,

Ox, sheep, chicken, and donkey unite to defeat a leopard in this Tigrean Eritrean folktale.

The Tale of the Ox, the Sheep, the Chicken, and the Donkey: An Eritrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Unity and Cunning

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Eritrean Folktales

High upon a lonely mountain in Eritrea, four animals made their home: the ox, the sheep, the chicken, and the donkey. Life on that rocky height was harsh. The

Illustration of the hare tricking an elephant with burning hay in a Gambian folktale.

The Hare’s Quest for Greater Wisdom | A Gambian Folktale

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

One day, the hare, known for his wit and mischief, presented himself before God with a bold request. He bowed low and pleaded, “Lord, grant me greater intelligence, so

Illustration of young goat tricking leopard into sack in traditional Angolan folktale setting

Kabidibidi the Young Leopard and Kabidibidi the Young Goat | An Angolan Folktale

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, in the warm lands of Angola, there lived two unlikely friends: Kabidibidi the young leopard and Kabidibidi the young goat. Though one was predator and the other

Eagle diving from the sky and Leopard leaping from the ground in a Fang folktale hunting contest - Fang folktale

Which is the Better Hunter, an Eagle or a Leopard?

African Folktales·Cameroonian Folktales·Central African Folktales

In the deep forests of Cameroon, where the Fang people have long lived among towering trees, winding rivers, and the calls of wild creatures, hunters were often judged not

Dog triumphs as Leopard and Gorilla fall into a pit, Equatorial Guinean folktale on pride destroying friendship.

Dog and Leopard: An Equatorial Guinean Tale of Rivalry and Betrayal

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in the villages of Equatorial Guinea, Dog and Leopard were close friends. They built a town together, shared one great table, hunted in the same forests, and

Antelope frees Leopard from a hunter’s trap as Tortoise watches nearby - Gabonese folktale

Why Gratitude Matters

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales·Mpongwe Folktales

Long ago, deep in the forests of Gabon, the animals lived side by side under the tall trees and wide skies. Among them were Leopard and Antelope, two creatures

Dog loves fire, Squirrel eats bananas, both meeting tragic ends in an Equatorial Guinean folktale.

Dog and Squirrel: The Peril of Excess

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in a time when animals lived together as neighbors in one village, peace lasted only briefly. Among them were Mbwa the Dog, Mbala the Squirrel, and Kudu

Tortoise tricks Antelope in a race, Gabonese folktale scene with hidden tortoises along the coastal path.

The Race of the Clever Tortoise and the Proud Antelope: Equatorial Guinean Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in the rich forests and coastal plains of Equatorial Guinea, quarrels often arose among animals and men over the question of seniority. Who was the elder? Who

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African animal tales

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