Top 15 African folktales every young child must know

A folktale is a traditional story passed down orally from generation to generation within a culture or community. These tales often involve characters, settings, and events that are fictional or mythical, and they serve various purposes, including entertainment, education, and the transmission of cultural values, norms, and beliefs. Folktales can take many forms, including myths, legends, fables, and fairy tales, and they exist in cultures around the world. Folktales and myths serve as a means of handing down traditions and customs from one generation to the next in Africa. For several generations, stories from Africa have traditionally been passed down by word of mouth. Often, after a hard day’s work, the adults would gather the children together by moonlight, around a village fire and tell stories. This was traditionally called ‘Tales by Moonlight’. Usually, the stories are meant to prepare young people for life, and so each story taught a lesson or moral. African folktales are rich with tradition and wisdom. While there are countless tales, here are 15 that are particularly cherished:

1. Anansi the Spider – Originating from Ghana, Anansi tales often depict the clever spider outwitting others through wit and cunning.

2. The Lion’s Whisker- This Ethiopian tale teaches the value of patience and understanding through a story about a woman who learns to tame her husband’s lion-like temperament.

3. The Creation Story – Various African cultures have their own creation myths, often involving gods or spirits shaping the world and humanity.

4. The Tortoise and the Hare – A familiar tale with African variations, illustrating the importance of perseverance and humility.

5. The Cow-Tail Switch- A West African tale about a wise woman who saves her village from a terrible monster.

6. Why the Sky is Far Away – A Nigerian story explaining why the sky is so high, teaching respect for nature and the consequences of greed.

7. The Magic Calabash – A Cameroonian tale about a young girl who overcomes obstacles with the help of a magical calabash.

8. The Girl Who Married a Lion – A tale from the Congo about a brave girl who outwits a lion and becomes his wife.

9. How the Leopard Got His Spots- Inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s story, this West African tale explains the origins of the leopard’s spots.

10. The Man Who Never Lied – A story from Ghana about a man who becomes known for his honesty, with unexpected consequences.

11. The Zulu Creation Myth- A myth from the Zulu people of South Africa, explaining the origins of humanity and the natural world.

12. The Talking Skull – A spooky tale from Nigeria about a man who discovers a skull that can talk and learns valuable lessons.

13. The Clever Rabbit – Similar to Anansi tales, stories about clever rabbits are common across many African cultures.

14. The Origin of Death- Various African cultures have myths explaining how death came into the world, often involving disobedience to the gods or spirits.

15. The Fire on the Mountain- A story from Kenya about a young girl who saves her village from a devastating fire through bravery and quick thinking.

Folktales are cultural treasures that preserve traditions, teach moral lessons, and entertain audiences. They serve as educational tools, enhancing language skills and fostering cross-cultural understanding.
These tales, passed down through generations, not only entertain but also teach important lessons about life, morality, and the natural world.