FolktalesAfrica.com

Browse Tag

storytelling

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

Anansi and the Talking Melon

Deep in the African savanna, where the sun painted golden hues across the land and the air buzzed with life, there lived a spider named Anansi. Not just any spider, but one renowned for his cleverness and mischief. Tales of his antics were whispered among the trees and echoed in

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

How Eshu Tested the Village

Long ago, before men knew all the ways of the gods, Eshu

Tortoise falling from the sky after tricking the birds at a heavenly feast in an Igbo folktale about greed and downfall.

The Tortoise and the Feast in the Sky

Long ago, before your grandmother’s grandmother was born, the animals of the

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 men, there lived a fisherman in Osogbo named Adekunle. Every morning, he would take his net and

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 wind, there lived a trickster known as Ìjàpá, the Tortoise. Among all the creatures in the land,

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 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

Igbo palm wine tapper chooses plain calabash before the Forest God in the forest.

The Palm Wine Tapper and the Forest God

Malian Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Hear this tale, for it has been carried by the wind of ages. In a small Igbo village, there once lived a humble palm wine tapper named Obinna. Each

Sun and Moon facing each other in the sky after their quarrel in an Igbo folktale

How the Sun and Moon Became Enemies

Liberian Folktales·Nigerian Folktales·West African Folktales

Once upon a time, when the world was young, the sky was peaceful and bright. In those early days, the Sun and the Moon were the closest of companions.

1 2 3 … 9 Next

Go toTop