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Parchment-style African folktale illustration showing clever Jackal outwitting mighty Lion on a rocky cliff.

The Clever Little Jackal and the Lion

by Oyebode Ayoola

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, when animals lived, spoke, and hunted much like people, there was a little Jackal who was as sharp-witted as he was quick on his feet. One day, while roaming the bush in search of food, Jackal crossed paths with the mighty Lion. Lion, proud and strong, suggested they join forces for the day’s hunt. “Let us make an

Illustration of Monkey and Hare in Gambian folktale, showing their playful contest of pride and trickery.

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

The Monkey and the Hare | A Classic Gambian Folktale of Pride and Trickery

One bright morning in a Gambian village clearing, Monkey boasted loudly before Hare and all who would listen. With a confident grin, he slapped his chest and declared, “From sunrise to sunset, I can go without scratching myself, no matter what!” His words carried the weight of a challenge, a

Banyankole elder drumming to bring rain cattle nearby Uganda folklore

The Drum That Summoned Rain

The Drum That Summoned Rain — A traditional Banyankole Folktales from Uganda

Painting of a West African woman holding a baby as she confronts a glowing spirit woman in a forest, surrounded by ethereal beings scene from a coastal folktale.

The Fishwife and the Changeling

Along the shores of the great African waters, where the mighty waves

The Eagle and the Tortoise: A Sudanese Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Wisdom and Patience

African Folktales·East African Folktales·South Sudanese Folktales

High above the Sudanese plains, where the dry winds sweep across golden grasses and thorn trees cast sharp shadows, an eagle circled in the sky. Her wings stretched wide, catching

Sudanese folktale scene of man by stone well with spirit rising, parchment-style art.

The Man and the Spirit in the Well: A Sudanese Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Desire and Responsibility

African Folktales·East African Folktales·South Sudanese Folktales

In the heat of the Sudanese plains, where the earth cracked under the sun and water was a treasure drawn from deep places, there stood an old stone well. For

Sudanese folktale scene showing cunning jackal testing poisoned meat with ants near village, parchment-style art.

The Cunning Jackal: A Sudanese Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Caution and Wisdom

African Folktales·East African Folktales·South Sudanese Folktales

In the dry, rolling lands of Sudan, where thorn bushes stretched across the earth and the sun burned fiercely overhead, there lived a jackal whose name carried both fear

Sudanese folktale scene of lioness, strong cub fighting hunter, and weak cub hiding, parchment-style art.

The Lioness and Her Children: A Sudanese Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Equality and Balance

African Folktales·East African Folktales·South Sudanese Folktales

In the heart of the Sudanese wilderness, where tall grasses swayed in the wind and shadows of acacia trees stretched across the golden plains, a lioness brought two cubs

Mossi girl at pond faces crocodile as turtledove and animals help, showing cleverness and patience.

The Beautiful Daughter: A Mossi Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Cunning and Patience

African Folktales·Burkinabe Folktales·West African Folktales

In a small Mossi village, a woman gave birth to a daughter of extraordinary beauty. So stunning was the child that her mother could not bear to consider marrying

Raogo approaches his mother’s hut while Poko watches, Mossi village scene.

Poko and Raogo: A Mossi Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Justice and Fate

African Folktales·Burkinabe Folktales·West African Folktales

In the heart of a Mossi village in Burkina Faso, a woman gave birth to twins, naming them Poko and Raogo. From the start, destiny was cruel: the mother

Orphan girl gathering okra while old woman dances, Mossi folktale scene.

The Orphan Girl: A Mossi Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Humility and Kindness

African Folktales·Burkinabe Folktales·West African Folktales

In a small Mossi village of Burkina Faso, a woman had passed away, leaving her young daughter in the care of her husband’s second wife. The stepmother, harsh and

Yam-yende clinging to a basket while her aunt becomes a buffalo, Mossi folktale scene.

Yam-yende Outsmarts Her Aunt: A Mossi Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Cleverness and Wisdom

African Folktales·Burkinabe Folktales·West African Folktales

In a bustling Mossi village of Burkina Faso, a group of children awaited a visit from their aunt. When she arrived, they were overjoyed, but little did they know

Yumboes stealing meal at night, pale spirits in pangs, Jaloff folklore, African folktale setting

The Yumboes: Spirits of the Jaloff People | An African Folktale

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

Across the mainland of Africa, opposite the small isle of Gorée, the Jaloff people tell of a mysterious race of beings known as the Yumboes. These spirits are believed

Parchment-style illustration of African monkey playing magical drum on moon, origin of rhythm and music.

The Moon’s Gift to Humanity

African Folktales·Guinea-Bissauan Folktales·West African Folktales

In the time when the world was young and magic flowed like rivers through the land, there lived a troop of spot-nosed monkeys in the heart of Africa. These

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