FolktalesAfrica.com

Browse Tag

African oral tradition - Page 5

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

Hunter holding deer’s hide as Deer escapes, Kimbundu folktale, Angola.

Dinianga dia Ngombe and Deer | A Kimbundu Folktale, Angola.

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Dinianga dia Ngombe rose one morning, took up his gun, and declared firmly, “I will go hunting today.” With steady steps, he journeyed into the bush, the forest alive

Hunter spares Deer for one night under the mudia-mbambi tree in this Kimbundu folktale

The Child of Hunter and the Child of Deer | A Kimbundu Folktale

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

In the days when the forest was both home and test, two families welcomed new life. The wife of Hunter gave birth to a child, and far away, the

Hare tricks Leopard back into tree while Nianga prepares to act in this Kimbundu folktale.

Nianga dia Ngenga and Leopard: An Angolan Folktale

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Nianga dia Ngenga rose early one morning, took up his gun, and declared with determination, “I will go a-hunting.” With steady steps he walked into the vast Angolan bush.

Villagers throw Turtle into river, but he escapes happily in this Kimbundu folktale.

The Man and the Turtle: An Angolan Folktale

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Long ago, in the land of Koka, a Turtle found himself caught in a struggle between wit and danger. A man from Lubi la Suku went into the bush

Blacksmith binds Blackbirds under Dove’s guidance in this Kimbundu folktale from Angola.

The Blacksmith and the Blackbirds: A Kimbundu Folktale

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Once upon a time, in a village where work and trade kept life turning, there lived a Blacksmith who prided himself on the strength of his hoes. With patient

A young bride pounds grain as a bird sings names of her brothers-in-law, Kimbundu folktale.

A Bride and Her Brothers-in-Law: A Kimbundu Folktale

African Folktales·Angolan Folktales·Southern African Folktales

Once upon a time, a young man lived with his four brothers. He was the fifth among them, and one day he saw a young woman who pleased him.

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

Previous 1 … 3 4 5 6 Next

Go toTop