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African myths and legends

Bat flying at night while animals and birds reject him, Leonean folktale

Why the Bat Flies Only at Night

by Elizabeth Fabowale

African Folktales·Sierra Leonean Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, when the world was young and all creatures lived together in uneasy peace, there came a great quarrel between the animals of the land and the birds of the air. The animals claimed that the land was theirs alone, for they walked upon it and made their homes there. The birds, however, argued that the trees, skies, and

Parchment-style illustration of lightning and thunder in the sky, African folktale scene with storm clouds and fire.

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

The Story of Lightning and Thunder

Long ago, in the days when the earth was still fresh and the animals and spirits lived closer to humankind, there were two powerful beings who walked among the people. They were not ordinary creatures. One was Lightning, fierce and restless, glowing with a fiery brilliance that no one could

Parchment-style illustration of Adanhu, Yewa, Legba’s monkeys, and Monkey boasting before Mawu in Beninese folktales.

Two Beninese Tales That Teach Lessons on Humility and Creation

In the heart of West Africa, the people of Dahomey, today’s Benin,

Parchment-style illustration of Squirrel and Spider disputing over a farm, Ashanti folktale from Ghana.

The Squirrel and the Spider

Long ago in the land of the Ashanti, there lived a squirrel

Dog chasing Palm-rat in a Congolese folktale with Hawk and Eagle flying away.

Why the Dog and the Palm-Rat Hate Each Other: A Congolese Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Congolese (DRC) Folktales

Long ago, in the lush forests and grasslands of Central Africa, four unusual companions, the Dog, the Palm-rat, the Hawk, and the Eagle set out together on a journey.

Gambian folktale scene of Samba reclaiming his magic bowl as the bolde strikes the king’s court.

Samba and the Magic Bowl | A Gambian Folktale

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

In a small Gambian village, famine had tightened its grip. Crops withered in the fields, animals starved, and families wasted away slowly. Samba, a man who could no longer

Man disguised as buffalo receives spear from God, buffalo arrives late, Anuak folktale from Ethiopia.

The Man, the Buffalo, and the Gift of Spears: Anuak Folktale from Ethiopia

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Ethiopian Folktales

Long, long ago, when the world was fresh and unspoiled, God shaped the earth with His hands. He carved the winding rivers and stretched the green forests across the

Parchment-style illustration of woman crossing river on hippopotamus with bird nearby, Ethiopian folktale scene.

The River Crossing and the Hippopotamus

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Ethiopian Folktales

In a quiet village along the banks of a wide river, there lived a woman who needed to make her way across the waters. The river was deep and

Parchment-style illustration of hare, hyena, spider, and leopard in Senegalese folktale scenes, showing trickery, greed, and divine lessons.

Three Tales of Wit, Greed, and Wisdom from Senegal

African Folktales·Senegalese Folktales·West African Folktales

The Hunting Expeditions of the Hare and the Hyena In the sunlit grasslands of Senegal, where baobabs rose like ancient guardians, the hare and the hyena set out together

Parchment-style illustration of Anansi crushed under magical grinding-stone, Ashanti folktale from Ghana, villagers watching in background.

The Grinding-Stone That Ground Flour by Itself

African Folktales·Ghanaian Folktales·West African Folktales

In a time long ago, famine swept across the land like a merciless shadow. The fields lay barren, the streams ran low, and the villagers grew thin and pale.

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