In the days of old, there lived a very powerful chief named Garnakaki. One day, Chief Garnakaki struck his camp to go to war, for his land needed defending. He had a certain cook who prepared his meals, and he had a wife whom he loved deeply. ...

One day, Lion and Jackal went hunting together. They shot arrows at their prey. Lion shot first, but his arrow fell short. Jackal’s arrow, however, struck the animal, and he cried out with joy, “I hit it!”

It is said that a White Man once met a Snake trapped beneath a large stone. The stone pinned her down so tightly that she could not move. Out of pity, the White Man lifted the stone and freed her.

There was once a great chief who had begotten a daughter of unparalleled beauty. In all the town, no maiden could compare to her loveliness. The chief made a proclamation to all the people, saying: "He who hoes on the day when we gather together, ...

One day, while his wife was working in her garden, Sebgugugu sat outside his hut when a bird perched on the gate-post and began to sing. As he listened, the words seemed clear:

A number of young girls agreed together to go and have their teeth made. One of their companions, however, could not join them. Her mother was dead, and her stepmother kept her hard at work; she was a poor, stunted drudge—ill-clothed and usually ...

Long, long ago, before iron pots shone in the villages and before the plough sang through the soil, the Amaxhosa people lived close to the earth and to their cattle. The sun rose over the hills like a golden drum, and the smoke of morning fires ...

Many years ago, in the deep forests of Calabar, there lived a hunter named Effiong. He was known throughout the land for killing many animals and earning plenty of money. He lived well, spending freely on food, drink, and good company. His closest ...

In ancient Ruanda, Imana was sometimes linked with thunder and lightning, as sky-gods often are. Yet in this tale the Thunder is treated as a distinct being, not the same as Imana.

There was a man who had two wives. One wife had borne him two children, whilst the other had borne him none, though she had a stepchild living in her care. Now the husband did not love the wife who had borne children, but instead favoured the one ...