picture of a bird on a very tall tree in a swampy farm with palm kernels, holding a baby in a yoruba folktale, and a young woman at the bottom of the tree begging the bird to return the baby.

17. Agbigbo the Great

Many, many years ago when the world was very different from the way it is today human beings and animals...

picture of a tortoise in a yoruba folktale carrying yams running after a dog at a farm where they have gone to steal, and the farm owner holding a cutlass looking at them.

18. Ijapa (Tortoise) and Aja (Dog)

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

picture of two brothers in a yoruba folktale, gifted in music singing and dancing at a musical competition

16. The Jealous Brother

A long, long time ago, in Sasawa, a town in a faraway land there were two brothers, Mariwo and Jiraiye,...

picture of a tortoise in a yoruba folktale observing a beautiful young woman on her way to a river.

15. Ijapa (Tortoise) and Kerebuje

Many, many years ago there was a young woman called Kerebuje who lived with her parents in Makeke, the same...

picture of a young girl at a river in a yoruba folktale lulled to sleep by its beautiful surroundings

14. The Disobedient Girl (Alantere)

A long time ago, the world was very different. In a land far away, in the town of Ipẹri-Ake there...

picture of a group of people attacking a huge woman in a yoruba folktale

13. Ọlọmurọrọ

Many, many years ago in Idọja, a village just outside Sakowa – a town in a faraway land – there...

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...