Listen—do you hear the evening wind howl and the lazy crickets calling? It’s almost that special time: storytime!

Folklore consists of the tales, legends, and superstitions of a particular ethnic community. In Igbo culture, as in many African societies, storytelling is a unique and vital practice, passing the traditions of a place from one generation to the next. These tales preserve history, ancient wisdom, and old knowledge. They teach morals and virtues, especially to younger listeners.

I am privileged to remember some of the stories my Grandma told me. I was close to the older folk in my community, and it seemed I learned quickly from them. I loved—and still adore—rural life. During school holidays, I would travel with my aunt to stay with my Grandma (God rest their souls). I learned rodent hunting, swimming, wrestling, and other games from boys my age. Life in the countryside was simple, and I savored every moment.

I recall one occasion when, in the hurry of packing, I forgot all my shorts except the ones I traveled in. Since my Grandma had no boys and couldn’t provide more, I was made to wear skirts. It still amuses me when I remember running around the hamlet with the other children in a red skirt! I was small, coming from town, but I preferred wearing a skirt to playing naked. My family teases me about it to this day, calling me “Mr. Piper” after the kilt-wearing Scottish wrestler, and we laugh over it every time.

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Most stories are told in the evening, after dinner. In both extended and nuclear families, storytelling often takes place near a charcoal fire outside, under the shade of a tree, on a moonlit night. For larger audiences, the story might be told in the village square. The storyteller is usually an elder, while the little ones sit quietly, listening and watching. I believe this is where my interest in storytelling and African folklore began.

Learn more about Igbo culture here.

In Igbo tales, the Tortoise is often the main character—or sometimes the trickster villain. He is clever, cunning, and occasionally unlucky. According to my Grandma and aunt, Alibo is the Tortoise’s wife. I cannot recall their son’s name, but that will not matter. Other notable characters populate African folklore: the dog, snake, boar, elephant, lion, crocodile, cricket, leopard, and many more. Each has a unique name, though names may vary between ethnic groups.

I hope you enjoy these nostalgic tales. Welcome, once again, to the world of Igbo storytelling.

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