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African mythology

Sacred Drum at the heart of a Burundian village ceremony, with dancers, elders, and drummers in harmony.

The Story of the Sacred Drum: A Burundian Folktale

by Oyebode Ayoola

African Folktales·Burundian Folktales·East African Folktales

Long ago, when the hills of Burundi were still clothed in untouched forests and the rivers flowed like veins of silver through the valleys, the god of music and dance looked down upon the earth and felt that something was missing. The world was alive with voices, yet there was no single sound that could unite heaven and earth, no rhythm

A young Zulu boy stands on a grassy hill with his arms outstretched as swirling winds form the shape of a glowing spirit around him

African Folktales·South African Folktales·Southern African Folktales

The Child and the Wind Spirit

In a small Zulu village surrounded by rolling green hills, there lived a boy named Lindo whose laughter was as wild as the wind itself. He was known across the land for his boundless curiosity and for chasing anything that moved, butterflies, drifting clouds, and even dust devils that swirled

Imana chasing Death with dogs as a Burundian woman swallows him, origin tale of mortality.

Imana and the Quest for Death: A Burundian Folktale

Long ago, when the land of Burundi was still being shaped by

Illustration of Sudika-Mbambi and Kabundungulu separating, symbolized by thunder, from Kimbundu folktale of Angola.

Sudika-Mbambi and Kabundungulu: A Kimbundu Folktale of Courage, Betrayal, and the Division of Brothers.

Let us tell of Ngana Kimanaueze kia Tumba a Ndala, beloved among

Illustration of villagers pleading to a vanished river, water returning in distance, Sudanese folktale of respect for nature.

The River That Moved: A Sudanese Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Respect and Gratitude

African Folktales·East African Folktales·South Sudanese Folktales

Long ago, in the heart of a fertile land, there was a river whose waters nourished the life of a thriving village. Day after day, its current sparkled under the

The Man Who Married a Star: A Sudanese Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Longing and Belonging

African Folktales·East African Folktales·South Sudanese Folktales

Long ago, under the wide and endless skies of Sudan, a solitary man often sat outside his hut, gazing upward at the stars. While others in his village gathered around

Illustration of Mhala at the threshold proving his wit before Chief Mukuru in a Bemba folktale.

The Fool Who Wed the Fairy Princess: A Zambian Folktale

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Long ago, when the world was still young and only a few humans roamed the earth, wild animals ruled the land. Each beast claimed dominion over its territory, and

Brothers transform into tree, elephant, and sea traveler in an Equatorial Guinean origin folktale.

The Origin of the Elephant People: An Equatorial Guinean Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, on the shores of Corisco Bay in Equatorial Guinea, people spoke of a curious mark imprinted on a rock by the sea. It looked like the footprint

Parchment-style illustration of a clever turtle tricking forest animals in a traditional Gabonese folktale setting.

The Debbi and the Hair of Power: Gabonese Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Gabonese Folktales

Long ago, in the heart of Central Africa, there lived a man who journeyed down to a lonely river to fetch water. The sun was heavy on his back,

Hwandjelè presenting vodun to King Agadja, Dahomey, sacred ceremony, parchment-style illustration.

How the Vodun Came to Dahomey: Agadja and Hwandjelè

African Folktales·Beninese Folktales·Dahomean (Fon) Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, in the kingdom of Dahomey, the world was without vodun. Life moved in strange cycles, pregnant women sometimes bore goats, and goats could give birth to men.

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,

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