African Folktales

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Nigerian folktales

A clever tortoise carrying a huge pile of yams on his back as his shell begins to crack, while birds and forest animals scatter in surprise – Igbo folktales

How the Tortoise Broke His Shell

by Elizabeth Fabowale

Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Come closer, for this tale is older than the hills, older than the tallest trees in the forest. Long ago, in a lush village beside the great river, there lived a tortoise whose cunning and greed were known far and wide. His shell shone like polished ebony, smooth and strong, and all the animals admired him for his cleverness and

Eshu wearing a two colored hat walks between villagers arguing in a Yoruba village setting – Yoruba folktales

Inspired Tales·West African inspired tales

How Eshu Tested the Village

Long ago, before men knew all the ways of the gods, Eshu the divine trickster walked the earth. He loved to test people, for through trials he revealed their true hearts. Among the Orishas, Eshu was known as the one who brought confusion but also wisdom, for his games taught

A fisherman kneels before Oshun, the golden river goddess glowing on a tropical riverbank – Yoruba folktales

The Fisherman and the River Goddess Oshun

Once upon a time, when rivers still spoke and spirits walked among

Mystical Yoruba scene of the Orishas shaping land and sea beneath a glowing sky – Yoruba folktales

The Orishas and the Creation of the World

Once upon a time, when the earth was still soft and the

The Moon strikes the Hare, splitting his lip, after he delivers the wrong message about death – African folktale

The Origin of Death

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West Africa Folktales

Long ago, in the earliest days of the world, life was very different from what we know now. In those times, men and women did not die. They grew

A man resting lazily under the hot sun transforming into a horse while the Sun watches above – Nigerian folktale

Horse Cursed by Sun: A Nigerian Folktale

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, in the days when animals and men could still change their forms, there lived a man who was known far and wide for his idleness. He had

The Slave Girl Who Tried to Kill Her Mistress – OldFolktales.com

The Slave Girl Who Tried to Kill Her Mistress

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales

Long ago, in a small village in Nigeria, there lived a wealthy woman who purchased a young slave girl to serve in her household. The girl, though outwardly obedient,

Parchment-style illustration of ’Nsasak bird in strong house and Odudu bird in rain, Nigerian folktale.

The ’Nsasak Bird and the Odudu Bird

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, when the world was still fresh with stories, two birds were the closest of friends: the ’Nsasak bird and the Odudu bird. They spent their days flying

The fish visiting the leopard’s wife in the bush while the leopard is away – Calabar folktale

The Fish and the Leopard’s Wife

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, in the lush forests of Calabar, the fish did not live in the rivers or streams as it does today. Instead, it roamed the land freely and

Bat hiding while tortoise eats in village house – West African folktale

Why the Bat is Ashamed to be Seen in the Daytime

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West Africa Folktales

Long ago, in a village surrounded by thick forests, there lived an old mother sheep with seven young lambs. One day, a bat approached her. He was planning to

Adet dances in the moonlight while Tortoise watches and Prince Ekpenyon spies, Nigerian folktale scene.

The Tortoise with a Pretty Daughter

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, in a kingdom where men and beasts lived under the same rule, there was a king whose power stretched across the forests, rivers, and farmlands. His authority

Ituen and the King’s Wife

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales

In the rich oral traditions of the Efik people of southeastern Nigeria, folktales were more than entertainment. They were guides, warnings, and lessons about life. The story of Ituen

Parchment-style illustration of African woman, child, and ape meeting in rural village landscape, warm earthy tones.

The Woman, the Ape, and the Child

African Folktales·Calabar·Nigerian Folktales·West Africa Folktales

In the fertile lands surrounding Calabar, where the forest met the farmland and the morning mist clung to towering trees, there lived a hardworking slave named Okun Archibong. He

Parchment-style illustration of Bat hiding in branches from angry animals, Nigerian folktale explaining his shame.

Why the Bat is Ashamed to Be Seen in the Daytime

African Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, when animals spoke and shared the earth more openly with humans, the Bat lived comfortably among them. In those days, the Bat was not the shy creature

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