African folktales

Read African Folktales Online

This collection of African folktales brings together stories of family bonds, clever animals, and cultural traditions. In Udea and Her Seven Brothers, a young girl searches for her lost brothers and faces dangers, reuniting with them after defeating a powerful enemy. The tale Why the Hippopotamus Lives in the Water explains how the turtle’s wit led the hippo to a new home. Stories of animal trickery include Why the Elephant Has Small Eyes, where Tortoise deceives the greedy Elephant, and The Leopard and the Ram, which recounts how a misunderstanding creates a natural divide. For tales of courage and protection, Dembe and the Park Rangers highlights a gorilla’s bravery in defending his family from poachers, while The Forgiveness Walk reflects a Nigerian community’s New Year’s tradition of reconciliation, as friends and neighbors seek peace in the new year. These stories showcase resilience, wisdom, and the values embedded in African folklore.