African Folktales

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oral tradition

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

Tortoise sneaks food at a grand feast in a Yoruba palace setting, with villagers watching in a parchment-style aged storybook look – Yoruba folktales

The Trickster Tortoise and the King’s Feast

In the days when the talking drum carried news faster than the

Bemba folktale scene of Awumbi and Mwawumbi, famine-stricken friends, drums revealing betrayal in Zambia.

Friends in Famine: A Bemba Folktale (Zambia)

African Folktales·Southern African Folktales·Zambian Folktales

In the long-ago days of hardship, when rains failed and famine tightened its grip upon the land, there lived two inseparable companions named Awumbi and Mwawumbi. These men were

A Senegalese waxambaane in traditional clothing walking under the moonlight with a stick in his hand

Two Senegalese Folktales of Wisdom and Courage

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

The Lion, the Jinn, and the Waxambaane Long ago, in the savannas of Senegal, the people told a tale of a lion and a jinn. Both were mighty in

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

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

The Orishas and the Creation of the World

Inspired Tales·West African inspired tales

Once upon a time, when the earth was still soft and the sky was near, there was nothing but water stretching endlessly in all directions. The heavens floated above

A clever dog selects sweet fruits from a basket while a cunning tortoise watches, attempting to trick him, as other forest animals observe – Igbo folktales

The Clever Dog and the Trickster Tortoise

Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the days of old, when animals held councils and the forests echoed with their voices, there lived a clever dog named Obi and a cunning tortoise known as

A woman stands with her ghostly husband in a forest, surrounded by a pale, eerie but calm glow – Igbo folktales

The Woman Who Married a Ghost

Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, when spirits walked with men and the wind carried whispers from the other world, there lived a beautiful young woman named Adaeze. She was known throughout her

A hunter kneels before a glowing river spirit rising from the water with a mystical aura – Igbo folktales

The Hunter and the Spirit of the River

Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Once upon a time, when rivers still spoke and the wind carried messages from one village to another, there lived a skilled hunter named Chukwuma. He knew every path

A leopard and a goat sit together under a tree with growing tension, set against a forest backdrop – Igbo folktales

The Leopard and the Goat’s Friendship

Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

In the days when animals could still speak, the Leopard and the Goat lived as close friends. They hunted together, shared meals, and often told stories beneath the bright

A young Igbo boy holds a glowing drum with traditional motifs as amazed villagers watch – Igbo folktales.

The Talking Drum That Chose Its Master

Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Long ago, in a time of wonders, when animals spoke and rivers carried messages from the gods, there lived a powerful talking drum in an Igbo village. This drum

Arab sage holding lantern in old Marrakech medina

The Lantern of Marrakech

Algerian Folktales·North African Folktales

Long ago, when the red walls of Marrakech were still young and its souks overflowed with traders from the desert and mountains, there lived a young craftsman named Idris.

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