Gather around, intrepid travellers, it’s African folklore story time… The virtual campfire is crackling, a gentle breeze is blowing, leaves are rustling, and the night sky is studded with stars. A jackal’s distant howl lingers in the air, completing the evening’s haunting ambience. That’s right, fellow travellers, it’s the perfect night for some African folklore…
And so, around the glowing fire, our story begins, Image Credit: Victoria Falls River Lodge
Tales of Creation
So, we start our tale where it all began – with the creation of mankind. Moulded from clay, the first humans were believed to be brought to life by the breath of Heitsi Eibib, the creator in the legends of the KhoiKhoi, the hunter-gatherers of southwestern Africa.
And in Kenya, the Kikuyu people believed that their supreme god created Mount Kenya as a sacred dwelling for their people.
Mount Kenya is considered a holy place to the Kikuyu people
Star-crossed Lovers
Now, we bet you didn’t know that the Sahara, the largest desert in the world, was created from heartbreak. Here’s what happened…
The Tuareg people of North Africa spin a captivating tale of a passionate and lovestruck individual who, in the midst of rejection, cried unrelenting tears of grief. Those tears streamed through the once vibrant and fertile land, and all that was left was the arid landscape of the Sahara.
A little further south, before there was Romeo and Juliet, the Swazi and Zulu people had their own tale of star-crossed lovers and the consequences of heartbreak. According to legend, a Zulu maiden and a Swazi prince fell deeply in love, but due to the animosity between their tribes, their love was forbidden. Knowing they couldn’t be together, the maiden and the prince shared a tearful farewell, and the tears they shed were laden with love and longing from which the Lebombo and Ghost Mountains sprung.
The star-crossed lovers of Africa
Ancient and Lost Cities
Who else has dreamt of a daring adventure to uncover the lost city of Atlantis? Well, you can add the lost city of the Kalahari to the list. The legend goes that beneath the ever-shifting sands of Namibia lies a fabled lost city of an ancient civilisation. Many have ventured into the desert to find the city along with its immense riches and technology, but none have succeeded.
Then, in Zimbabwe, lies the stone ruins of a city shrouded in mystery. Great Zimbabwe was said to be the seat of an ancient civilization which was built by the warrior prince Nyatsimba Mutota, whose expansion of his kingdom resulted in Great Zimbabwe becoming a central trading post that may even have extended as far as China.
Imagine a city lost beneath the dunes, Image Credit: Serra Cafema Camp
Girl Power
In Nigeria and Angola, a bit of rebellion was stirring in the hearts of two famous warrior queens, Amina and Nzinga.
Queen Amina was a fearless warrior and leader who led the Nigerian city-state of Zazzau (now known as Zaria). On the other hand, in Angola, Queen Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba was a formidable leader who resisted Portuguese colonial rule in the 17th century.
A true African queen poised on her throne
Fables and Folklore
In many African cultures, the tales within their folklore are passed down orally from generation to generation to impart wisdom and knowledge.
In Tanzania, within Chaga folklore, we find the enchanting tale of Khamba and Khoja, two brothers whose unwavering bond is tested as they embark on a perilous journey to rescue their kidnapped sister. Along the way, they encounter a world filled with challenges and meet supernatural beings, teaching the values of courage, cleverness, and the unbreakable strength of familial ties.
Under African skies, stories unfold…
Venturing to Ethiopia, we uncover an endearing story where a man’s love for his ailing wife leads him on a quest for a cure. Here, a wise hermit’s counsel sends him on a daring mission to gain the trust of a lion and obtain its precious whisker, the key to his wife’s recovery.
This tale beautifully illustrates the power of patience and humility in winning the heart of even the mightiest creature.
Now imagine having to get one of his whiskers…
Across the African plains in Ghana, Anansi the Spider weaves his clever and mischievous tales into Akan and Ashanti folklore. Anansi’s sharp wit and cunning ways often pit him against more powerful animals, where he must rely on his intelligence to outsmart his adversaries.
Anansi the spider’s clever web
In Zulu tradition, a poignant story is told about the distinctive “tear tracks” adorning the face of the cheetah. It’s a tale of heartache as a mother cheetah’s cubs are stolen by wicked baboons, leaving her in deep sorrow. Her tears, forever marking her face, remind us of the enduring impact of a mother’s love and life’s trials.
Look at those “tear tracks”
Ghosts, Myths and Legends
No campfire, not even a virtual one, would be complete without a few ghost stories. And across Africa, there are various spirits that roam the mountains and plains.
The Tsodilo Hills in Botswana were sacred to the San Bushmen, housing ancestral spirits and a great python who was considered a protector of the land.
Tsodilo Hills rock art in the Kalahari Desert, Image Credit: Joachim Huber
Across the border in Namibia, the Brandberg Mountains rise. And in the times of the San people, a legend emerges of the White Lady.
With skin as radiant as the moon and hair as golden as the sun, the White Lady was no ordinary being. Instead, she was considered a spirit, residing in the highest mountain range in Namibia, namely the Brandberg Mountains.
The “ghostly” Brandberg Mountains
Journeying to South Africa, we meet a magnificent white lion whose very existence is believed to have the power to bring rain and prosperity to the land. White lions were believed to be messengers of the gods, and their appearance was thought to be a blessing that signalled the coming rain.
The beautiful and rare white lion
The Igbo people of Nigeria share the captivating story of a young girl who ventured into the realm of spirits and married a ghost. Through her bravery and wit, she traversed the challenges of the spirit world, returning with newfound wisdom.
And finally, in the heart of Mali, we have the story of Sundiata Keita, the “real” Lion King. In an epic tale of bravery, magic and spirits, the brave warrior Sundiata Keita beats all odds and founded the ancient Mali Empire.
As only embers remain, our stories must come to an end, Image Credit: Sanctuary Retreats
Write Your Own Story in Africa
The logs on the campfire have burnt out, with only glowing embers remaining. The stars are still twinkling, but the soft rumble of thunder and the fresh smell of distant rain marks the end of the storytelling evening.
But you don’t have to close the book on Africa! It’s as simple as contacting one of our Travel Experts and travelling to Africa yourself to discover more about African folklore. And who knows, with safari adventures so epic, you might even have some of your own stories to tell around the campfire.
