The Ivory Coast has a rich tradition of oral stories passed down through generations. These tales often involve fantastical characters and themes, such as magical animals, brave heroes, and supernatural powers. Many of these stories have been shared around campfires and during special occasions, such as weddings and funerals.

One of the most famous stories from Ivory Coast is the creation epic of the N‘zima people, which is often called the “Rabbit and Tortoise” story. In this story, the creator god, Nyankupon, assigns the rabbit and tortoise to build the world. The tortoise is slow but steady, and the rabbit is fast but careless. The rabbit builds the world quickly, but it is not as strong as the tortoise’s work. The tortoise eventually catches up and finishes the world, which is why the world is strong and lasting.

Another popular story is the tale of Anansi the spider. Anansi was a trickster god who used his cleverness to outwit other gods. He is often called the “king of stories” since he is a common figure in many African tales. One of his most famous stories is how he tricked the sky god, Nyame, into giving him all stories.

The stories of Ivory Coast are often used to teach valuable lessons or impart wisdom to the younger generations. They are a way to connect with the past, to share culture, and to create a sense of belonging. There is a unique beauty in the stories of Ivory Coast, and they are sure to captivate audiences for generations to come.

All our fairy tales and bedtime stories are for free and available as audiostory, pdf (to print) and ebook (to download). The story books are also suitable for toddlers, preschool and kindergarten.