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Parchment-style illustration of lion, dead camel, fallen hyena, and cautious fox in Somali folktale.

The Lion, King of the Animals: Somali Folktale

by Oyebode Ayoola

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Somali Folktales

Once, in the wide forests of Somalia, where tall trees cast long shadows and the rustle of leaves echoed with whispers of beasts, the lion reigned supreme. Known as the king of the animals, he strode with a pride and power that none dared question. One day, the lion walked through the forest accompanied by a hyena, a fox, and

Parchment-style illustration of dog chasing bus, goat fleeing, and donkey calm, from Somali folktale.

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Somali Folktales

The Dog, the Goat, and the Donkey: Somali Folktale

Once upon a time, in the sunlit lands of Somalia where the winds sweep across open plains and the hum of buses carries down long dusty roads, there lived three unlikely companions, a dog, a goat, and a donkey. These three, with different natures and fortunes, decided one day to

Parchment-style illustration of five Somali sisters abandoned in the bush, meeting shepherd girl with goats at dusk.

Degder and the Five Sisters: A Somali Folktale that Teaches Forgiveness

Long ago, in the wide sun-baked lands of Somalia where acacia trees

Parchment-style Somali folktale illustration of clever girl facing hyena in savannah, courage and wisdom under moonlight.

The Boy Lion of Fafen: A Somali Folktale

In the dry, thorny plains of Fafen, where the acacia trees cast

An illustration of hare tricking hyena in Somali savannah landscape.

The Foolish Hyena and the Clever Hare

East African Folktales·Somali Folktales

Across the open Somali plains, where dry winds sweep through thorn bushes and animals depend on sharp instincts to survive, stories are told to remind both children and adults

An illustration of Somali girl facing hyena on bush path using wit.

The Clever Girl and the Hyena

East African Folktales·Somali Folktales

In the wide, sunlit lands of the Somali countryside, where paths wind between thorny bushes and the calls of animals echo across open space, stories are often carried in

An illustration of lion guarding prey while other animals stand back in Somali savannah.

The Lion’s Share

East African Folktales·Somali Folktales

Across the sweeping plains of the Somali lands, where herds move like drifting clouds and the horizon stretches without end, animals lived much like the people who told their

An illustration of Somali children facing disguised ogress with strange shadow in bush.

Dhegdheer the Cannibal Woman

East African Folktales·Somali Folktales

In the vast, sun-washed plains of the Somali bush, where thorny acacia trees stretch their arms against the sky and the wind carries whispers through dry grass, stories travel

Egal Sheeda, the Somali trickster, walking away with livestock as deceived villagers watch helplessly by the river.

A Somali Folktale that Teaches Lessons on Greed and Deception

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Somali Folktales

Long ago in Somalia, there lived a man named Egal Sheeda, a trickster whose wit and cunning were both admired and feared. One day, his bull wandered into the

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 man, woman, and dog in Somali creation folktale, with desert landscape.

How the Dog Became Man’s Friend: Somali Folktale

African Folktales·East African Folktales·Somali Folktales

Long ago, when the world was still fresh and creation’s mysteries were woven into every breath of wind, people sought to understand why certain bonds endure while others falter.

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