picture of a tortoise in a yoruba folktale carrying a huge gourd.

36. Ijapa (Tortoise) and all the wisdom of the World

Many, many years ago, when the world was very different from the way it is today, there was a tortoise,...

picture of a pig and a tortoise in a yoruba folktale travelling together.

35. Tortoise (Ijapa) and Pig (Ẹlẹdẹ)

Many, many years ago, in a town called Lagoni, in a faraway land, there lived a tortoise, Ijapa, and a...

picture of a tortoise in a yoruba folktale and a phython.

34. Ijapa (Tortoise) and Ọjọla (Python)

Many, many years ago, when the world was totally different from the way it is today, there were a lot...

33. Ijapa (Tortoise) stole yam from his in-law

Many, many years ago, in the town called Lagoni, in a far, far away land, there lived a tortoise, Ijapa,...

picture of a contest at the palace of a king (oba) in a yoruba folktale, with his town's people around him and a tortoise in front of them holding a goblet of piping hot water.

32. Ijapa and the Hot-WaterTest

A long, long time ago in Lagoni, a town in a faraway land – there was an Ọba (the ruler...

picture of a tortoise and hare in a foot race in a yoruba folktale,

31. Ijapa (Tortoise) and Ehoro (Hare)

Many, many years ago, when the world was very different from the way it is today, animals had a lot...

picture of a tug-of-war between an elephant and a hippopotamus in yoruba folktale - one at sea, one on land - unable to see each other, and tortoise in the middle watching.

30. (Tortoise), Erin (Elephant) and Erinmilokun (Hippopotamus)

A long time ago, the world was very different. Humans and animals had much in common, lived side by side,...

picture of a king (oba) in a yoruba folktale at a festival surrounded by his town's people watching a young man who is guessing what food and drink are being served.

29. Akuruntegun

A long time ago in Malawa, a town in a faraway land, there was an Ọba (ruler) – the richest...

picture of a princess in a Yoruba folktale crying, standing in front of a young man who has accused her of stealing some honey.

28. The Princess Who Could Not Speak

There was once an Ọba (ruler) in a town called Akeke, in a faraway land, who had several wives. The...

picture of a woman in a yoruba folktale, running after another woman who has left her fan behind, to stop her from leaving their town waving the fan.

27. Lẹyẹnibi

A very long time ago in Kuweti, a town in a faraway land, there lived a farmer, called Fẹyinti, and...

picture of a king (oba) in a yoruba folktale surrounded by his people in a field watching a fire burning and rain pouring.

26. The Contest Between Ina (Fire) and Ojo (Rain)

A long time ago, the world was very different. In a land far away, in the town of Pelewu, lived...

picture of a young woman in a yoruba folktale standing in front of a king (oba) in his palace surrounded by his town's people at a festival.

25. Lọkọde

Many years ago, in a land far away, in the town of Ogudu, lived a young woman called Lọkọde. Lọkọde...