African Fairy Tales

Famous African Fairy Tales, Folk Tales and Fables in English

Africa brought forth many rich stories of folklore to the literature world. African Fairy Tales stories continue to fascinate audiences and are often taught in schools. The body of African folklore encompasses tales from multiple regions of Africa, including fairy tales and folk tales from South Africa, Nigeria, Rhodesia and Zanzibar. The tales from Africa aren’t just stories, they’re living pieces of history and culture to those who tell them.

Animals are prominent in African folk tales, especially the monkey, elephant, lion, and giraffe, though other animals have their part as well. In the stories, animals often have human characteristics, for instance. Some of the African folk tales don’t have happy endings but instead impart a lesson. Other stories are origin stories, such as explaining why fish live in water.

African Fairy Tales, Folk Tales and Fables List:

The Ape, the Snake, and the Lion

The Adventures of a Jackal

The Adventures of the Jackal's Eldest Son

The Adventures of the Younger Son of the Jackal

The Clever Cat

The Death Of Abu Nowas And Of His Wife

Daughter of Buk Ettemsuch

Father Grumbler

Goso, the Teacher

The Hare and the Lion

Haamdaanee

The Husband of the Rat's Daughter

How Jakhals Fed Oom Leeuw

How Isuro the Rabbit Tricked Gudu

The Jackal, the Dove, and the Panther

The Jackal and the Spring

The Kites and the Crows

The Lion, the Hyena, and the Rabbit

The Little Hare

Mkaaah Jeechonee, the Boy Hunter

The Magician and the Sultan’s Son

Mohammed with the Magic Finger

Motiratika

The Nunda, Eater of People

The One-Handed Girl

The Physician’s Son and the King of the Snakes

The Partnership of the Thief and the Liar

The Place and the People

The Rover of the Plain

The Story of Dschemil and Dschemila

The Story of a Gazelle

The Story of Hassebu

The Story of Halfman

Samba the Coward

The Sacred Milk of Koumongoe

Udea and Her Seven Brothers

Who Was King?

Why the Hyena is Lame

Who Was the Thief?