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Illustration of greedy old couple turning into monkeys on a tree, from a Zambian folktale.

How the Monkeys Came to Be: A Zambian Folktale

by Ayomide Adekilekun

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

Long ago, in the heart of the African wilderness, there lay a quiet glade where a humble tribe had built their huts. The people lived in harmony with nature and with one another, sharing food, laughter, and the struggles of daily life. Among them lived a frail old man and his equally gaunt wife. They were always complaining of hunger

Young Kimbundu hunter finds a talking skull under a baobab tree, Angola folktale in parchment style.

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Ngunza Kilundu and the Lord of the Dead: An Angolan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Death, Vanity, and Legacy

Long ago, in the lands of the Kimbundu people of Angola, there lived two brothers, Ngunza Kilundu kia Ngunza and his younger sibling Maka. The bond between them was deep, like the roots of a great baobab tree. But fate intervened when Ngunza traveled to the bustling town of Loanda. There,

Ngana Samba carries her children across a river, escaping the Ma-kishi in a Kimbundu Angolan folktale.

Ngana Samba and the Ma-Kishi: A Kimbundu Folktale of Courage, Motherhood, and Escape.

long ago, during the dry season, the people of a village gathered

Nsenga tale: hare, goat, dog and python at the totem tree, Eastern Zambia.

The Hare Who Slew the Python: A Nsenga Folktale (Zambia)

In a village ringed by bush and shadow, a monstrous python had

Two dogs sing before villagers, exposing betrayal, in an Angolan Kimbundu folktale.

Mutelembe and Ngunga | A Kimbundu Folktale on Betrayal, Loyalty, and Truth

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Two men, elder and younger, once said to each other, “Let us go hunting!” The younger man had two loyal dogs, one named Mutelembe and the other Ngunga. Together,

Tortoise and Leopard inside giant Goat Mbodi, Fang folktale from Equatorial Guinea, villagers nearby in earthy illustration.

The Giant Goat and the Fate of Tortoise and Leopard: A Fang Folktale on Greed and Betrayal

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in a small town built by Tortoise (Kudu) and Leopard (Nja), peace and cooperation defined their early lives. Together, they cleared plantations, cultivated food, and raised families.

Utigebode trapped atop a magical coconut tree, animals below watching helplessly, Equatorial Guinean folktale scene.

Utigebode the Savior of the Animals: An Equatorial Guinean Folktale

African Folktales·Central African Folktales·Equatorial Guinean Folktales

Long ago, in the ancient villages of Equatorial Guinea, when the bond between humans and animals was still strong and full of mystery, a man named Njambo lived with

Parchment-style Somali folktale illustration of first wife with newborn son Durbananti, daughters, husband, and shocked second wife.

The Mother of Sons: Somali Folktale

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Somali Folktales

Once, in the dry, open lands of Puntland, there lived a man with two wives. His first wife bore him only daughters, seven in all, while the second wife gave

Parchment-style illustration of hunter in tree, loyal dogs attacking wild animals, Ethiopian folktale.

The Hunter and His Dogs

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Ethiopian Folktales

The tale begins in a small compound where a hunter lived with his two wives. The first was called Little Loved One, Njidangel, and the second was Little Hated

A man carrying a mysterious head wrapped in cloth on his back – Wolof Folktale

The Talking Head of the Wolof People

African Folktales·Senegalese Folktales·West African Folktales·Wolof Folktales

In the land of the Wolof people, there once lived a man who loved nothing more than to boast. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and carried weapons wherever he went.

Hare tricking a hyena on a narrow bridge over a river – Wolof folktale

The Hyena and the Hare with the Bridge

African Folktales·Senegalese Folktales·West African Folktales·Wolof Folktales

In the heart of Senegal, among the Wolof people, stories of the clever hare and the foolish hyena are told to teach children how wisdom outshines carelessness. One of

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