picture of a tortoise in hiding, in a yoruba folktale watching three princesses in their private garden forbidden to others.

12. Ijapa (Tortoise) and the Princesses

Many, many years ago, in Makeke, a town in far away land there lived an Ọba (ruler in the human...

picture of a man in a yoruba folktale following behind a woman outside the town and the woman telling him to turn back.

11. Olailo and the Mysterious Woman

A long, long time ago, in Kasawa, a town in a faraway land there was a man called Olailo. Olailo...

picture of a woman in a yoruba folktale at a stream where her co-wife's igbako (a utensil) is swept away by the current, frantically searching for it.

10. The Two Wives (Orogun Meji)

Many, many years ago, in Makani, a town in a faraway land there lived a man called Bamiwo who had...

picture of a tortoise in a yoruba folktale rescuing a young would be hunter from drowning.

9. Ijapa (Tortoise) and Jigborere, Oluwo’s Son

Many, many years ago, in Ijafa, a town in a faraway land, there was a man called Oluwo who had...

picture of Ojeje Traders in a yoruba folktale carrying their goods to a market, and a young girl going towards them crying.

8. Ojeje Traders

A very long time ago, in Akete, a town in a far, faraway land, there lived a renowned trader called...

picture of a woman market cloth seller with her goods on her head in a yoruba folktale, standing alone in front of an iroko tree (solid oak) and two other women sellers of other things.

7. Olurombi

7. Olurombi A very, very long time ago when Iroko (large, solid and long-lasting wood tree from West Africa) was...

picture of a huge elephant with a tortoise in front of him going into a town to be king in a yoruba folktale, with people cheering, dancing with music and fanfare.

6. Ijapa (Tortoise) and Erin (Elephant)

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

picture of a tortoise, rat and a squirrel at a market place in a yoruba folktale, fighting with tortoise beating the rat with a stick.

5. Why Ijapa’s Nose is Very Small (Ijapa, Asin and Okere)

Why Tortoise (Ijapa)’s Nose Is Very Small (Ijapa, Asin and Ọkẹrẹ) A long, long time ago, when the world was...

picture of a tortoise in distress, in a yoruba folktale, with burnt head, holding a deep cap with piping hot porridge yam.

4. Why Ijapa Is Bald

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

picture of a tortoise in distress in a yoruba folktale showing his very large and extended stomach walking outside his town with people looking at him

3. How Tortoise (Ijapa)’s Stomach Became Hollow (Ijapa and Babalawo)

3. How Tortoise (Ijapa)’s Stomach Became Hollow (Ijapa and Babalawo) A long, long time ago in Teregun, a town in...