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African wisdom tales

A tall scarecrow standing in a village farm at dusk while villagers watch from a distance – African Folktale

The Scarecrow: An African Folktale of Wisdom and Consequence

by Elizabeth Fabowale

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, in a quiet African village surrounded by golden fields of maize, there lived a farmer who was both clever and hardworking. His land was wide, his crops always tall and healthy, and his barns were filled with grain at harvest. Yet, in his heart, the farmer carried a weakness. Though he had plenty, he always wanted more. When

a proud man walking away while a lion, a snake, and a tree watch him with sadness in a traditional West African village scene – Wolof folktale

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

The Ungrateful Man

Long ago in the land of the Wolof people of Senegal, there lived a poor hunter who spent most of his days roaming the forest. His bow was worn and his clothes were patched, yet he never lost hope that one day fortune would smile on him. One hot afternoon,

A greedy hunter in a Gabonese forest setting too many traps, with a leopard caught and ready to attack - Gabonese folktale

The Greedy Hunter

Long ago, in the deep green forests of Gabon, where the tall

A lion roaring into a forest well at his reflection while a hare watches cleverly and a hyena stands nearby – Guinean folktale

The Fall of the Lion and the Rise of the Hare

In the vast forests of Guinea, where the rustling trees whispered secrets

A Moroccan widow offers water to a golden-green serpent on a village road with mountains and fig trees

How Kindness Transformed a Widow’s Life

African Folktales·Moroccan Folktales·North African Folktales

Long ago in the valleys of Morocco there lived a poor widow. Her hut stood at the edge of the village, surrounded by rocky paths and scattered fig trees.

The Crocodile’s Bride: A Sudanese Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Freedom and Belonging

African Folktales·East African Folktales·South Sudanese Folktales

Once, in a quiet riverside village, there lived a maiden who rose early each morning to fetch water from the wide, flowing river. The river was the lifeblood of the

Illustration of Sudanese elder striking a magical drum that warns villagers to live in peace and harmony.

The Talking Drum: A Sudanese Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Peace and Harmony

African Folktales·East African Folktales·South Sudanese Folktales

Long ago, in a village nestled among wide plains and tall trees, quarrels broke out almost every day. Neighbors argued over grazing lands, brothers clashed about inheritance, and even friends

A proud rhinoceros racing while a turtle outsmarts him, traditional Bemba folktale from Zambia.

The Rhinoceros and the Turtle: A Bemba Folktale from Zambia

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

A family of rhinoceroses once sat together after a meal, speaking of life on earth and in heaven. Some praised heaven as a place of eternal joy, while others

Crocodile trapped by baited hook while villagers attack, from a traditional Madagascan folktale of wisdom and caution.

The Crocodile and the Pig: A Madagascan Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Friendship and Betrayal

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Madagascan Folktales

Long ago, in the heart of Madagascar, the crocodile and the pig shared an unusual friendship. Bound not by chance but by a solemn blood oath, they trusted one

Leopard bowing to the Goat with horns as Gazelle observes, Bakongo folktale from DR Congo.

The Leopard Pays Homage to the Goat : A Bakongo Folktale

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

Long ago, among the Bakongo people of the Congo, it was said that there was a time when the proud Leopard humbled himself before the Goat, mistaking his beard

Illustration of Gazelle discovering his children in a sack while Leopard eats honey, Congolese folktale.

The Wise Gazelle and the Deceitful Leopard: A Congolese Folktale

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

Once, in a quiet African town surrounded by dense forests and wide grasslands, a Leopard and a Gazelle lived side by side with their wives and children. Their homes

Fox tricks lion to help hyaena reclaim calf in traditional Tigrean folktale from Eritrea.

The Lion, the Hyaena, and the Fox: A Tigrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Greed and Wisdom

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Eritrean Folktales

Once, in the wide plains where the sun burned golden over the tall grass and the wind carried the scent of earth after rain, a lion and a hyaena

Boar struck down among elephants, Eritrean Tigrean folktale scene, parchment-style with earthy colors and faded manuscript texture.

The Boar and the Elephants: An Eritrean Folktale That Teaches Lessons on Fate and Misfortune

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Eritrean Folktales

Once upon a time, in the dense forests of Eritrea where shadows of tall trees stretched long across the earth, a wandering boar found himself in the company of

Illustration of monkey escaping, hyena trapped, and lion approaching, from a traditional Gambian folktale.

The Monkey and the Hyena | A Gambian Folktale of Wit and Deception

African Folktales·Gambian Folktales·West African Folktales

One day, the lion was walking through the bush as though it were his personal domain. He moved with pride, pausing often to look to the right and left,

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