The Watkins Book of African Folklore

By: Helen Nde

Narrated by: Nene Nwoko

From creation myths and foundation legends to fascinating stories of human relationships and animal tales, these stories provide a diverse look at the countries and cultures across the African continent. Noted folklorist Helen Nde provides context for history and colonial influences for the stories.

Discover the geographical and cultural variety of the continent with stories such as:

• FROM ALGERIA: "The Story of the First Man and Woman", who meet when they struggle over access to a well, but go on to have 100 children and start the human race.
• FROM SUDAN: "Okwa and the River Maiden", a tale about the great-grandson of the first man who seeks the river spirit's approval to marry two river maidens, half women and half crocodiles.
• FROM ZIMBABWE: "The Moon and His Wives", a story about the first man who pleads with the creator to become mortal and go to earth, where the first star becomes his companion.
• FROM GHANA: "How Goat Caused a War" by tricking the Supreme Being and giving his holy message to the wrong prince.
• FROM TANZANIA: "The Singing Kaguru Birds", who offer help and riches to poor folk in exchange for a strict rule or even a trick.

©2025 Helen Nde (P)2025 Tantor Media

Good enough

As a compilation of African folktales, and a few myths, it's a good enough starting point to be used to aid in further study of the subject. How ever many of the author's retellings of the folktales are disproportionate in their explanations, and there's a clear bias towards some tales. Too much time is given to the author's personal interpretations of the tales and over analyzing the real world themes of the tales. Personally I would have preferred a simple collection of the tales and their variations, and origins. This is serviceable however aided by the performance of Nene Nwoko.