Legends are very old stories that were transmitted orally. Generally, they are intended to explain the universe, nature and human relationships.
There are several legends in Africa, as this is a continent with a rich cultural diversity. Its folklore, that is, its traditions and cultural manifestations, is also quite diverse.
We selected 6 african legends for you to learn more about the culture of these peoples who contributed so much to the formation of Brazil.
1. Legend of the Frog and the Snake
This legend tells of the friendship between a frog and a snake.
One day, a frog was walking and saw a thin, long, and shiny animal. The frog asked:
- Hey! do you do stretched across the road?
The snake replied:
"I'm sunbathing." I'm a snake and you?
“I'm a frog. Would you like to play?
The snake accepted and they played all afternoon. The snake taught the frog to crawl and climb trees and the frog taught the snake to jump. They had a lot of fun and at the end of the day each one went home, promising to meet the next day.
When the frog found his mother, she told him what had happened, that she had met a little snake and had become friends. His mother didn't like it and said:
“You should know the snake's family isn't nice. They are poisonous! I don't want you to play with snakes or crawl around anymore!
When the snake arrived home, he showed his mother that she knew how to jump and said that the frog taught her. His mother didn't like it either and said:
“We snakes don't make friends with frogs, they only serve as food. I don't want you to play with the frog. And stop jumping!
When they met, the snake thought about devouring the frog, but then remembered that afternoon of games and ran into the woods.
From then on they didn't play anymore, but they always lay in the sun thinking about the day they were friends.
2. Legend of African Drums
The origin of this legend comes from the lands of Guinea Bissau and explains how drums, such important instruments in the culture of the whole of Africa, emerged.
It is said that the white-nosed monkeys in the region once wanted to bring the Moon closer to Earth.
They had no idea how to accomplish such a feat. Until the smaller monkey suggested that they climb on each other's shoulders in order to reach the Moon.
The group of monkeys put the plan into action and the smallest monkey was the last to climb, making it to the sky and clinging to the moon.
But before they could pull the satellite, the pile of monkeys collapsed and all but the little monkey fell, who continued to cling to the moon.
A friendship then grew and the Moon presented the little animal with a wonderful white drum, which he soon learned to play.
The little monkey lived on the Moon for a long time, but one day he began to miss the Earth, his friends and nature. He then asked his friend to help him return to his home.
The Moon was upset and replied:
“But why do you want to go back? Aren't you happy here with the little drum I gave you?
The monkey explained to him that he liked it a lot, but that he missed it.
The Moon was sorry, promised to help him and told him:
— Do not play the drum until you are on solid ground. Just play when you get down there so I'll know you've arrived and I can cut the rope. Then you will be free.
The monkey agreed. He sat on his drum and was tied to a rope, which began the descent process.
As she descended, the little monkey looked at his drum and there was an irresistible urge to play it. He started to play very softly, so the Moon wouldn't hear.
But even so, the Moon listened and cut the rope as agreed. The monkey started to fall and when he reached the ground, he couldn't resist and died. But first, a girl walking nearby saw the fall. She went to the monkey and he said:
“That's a drum. Please deliver it to the people of your country.
The girl took the instrument and ran to deliver it to her family, telling her what had happened.
Everyone loved the drum and started playing it. Since then, the African people have produced their own drums and whenever possible play and dance to them.
3. Legend of Chicken D'Angola
This is a legend that tells how the hen of Agola was created.
It is said that for a long time the birds all lived together, in the same environment. But, little by little, the feeling of envy between them grew and coexistence became very difficult.
The most envied bird was the Blackbird. The male had a very beautiful appearance, with an orange beak and black feathers; the female had a body in shades of black and light brown, and a whitish throat. Everyone wanted to be cute like that species.
Blackbird knew he was very handsome and envied and promised the other birds that he would use his magical powers to transform their plumage into brilliant shades of black if they all obeyed.
However, not all birds were obedient. Blackbird then got very angry and changed the characteristics of the bird species.
Thus, the guinea fowl was transformed into a lean animal with constant weakness. His body became painted just like the leopard's.
In this way, the leopard would devour the guinea fowl because it could not bear to see another animal as beautiful as it. That was the lesson that the hen from Angola received for her envy.
4. Legend of the Giraffe and Rhinoceros
The legend of the giraffe is one of those stories that explain nature. It tells why this animal has such a long neck.
According to legend, the giraffe was an animal with a normal neck, just like that of other animals. Until there was a period of terrible drought, when the animals had already eaten all the undergrowth and had to walk a lot to be able to drink water.
One day, on one of these wanderings in search of water, the giraffe encountered a rhinoceros and the two began to whine. The giraffe then said:
— Look, friend... Lots of animals digging the ground in search of food, everything is so dry, but the acacias are still green.
The rhinoceros agreed. And the giraffe continued:
- It would be wonderful to be able to eat these foliage that are found high in the canopy. Too bad we can't climb trees.
The rhinoceros then had an idea:
"What if we were to talk to the sorcerer?" He is very powerful and can help.
The giraffe loved the idea and they went to the sorcerer's house to explain what they would like.
The sorcerer said that this would be very easy and asked both of them to come back the next day so he could give a potion so that their necks and legs grow and can reach the soft leaves of the acacia.
The other day, the giraffe went to the sorcerer's house, but the rhinoceros didn't show up because he was very happy eating some herbs he had found along the way.
The sorcerer offered the spell only to the giraffe and disappeared.
The giraffe ate the magic potion and soon began to feel its legs and neck lengthen. She felt dizzy, but when she opened her eyes she realized how different everything was.
Soon she saw an acacia tree and was able to enjoy its green leaves.
The rhinoceros suddenly remembered the engagement and ran to the sorcerer's house in search of the potion, but it was too late and there was no more potion. He was furious because he thought he had been tricked.
Since then he started to chase the sorcerer through the forest and also runs after all the people who cross his path.
5. Ubuntu legend
This is a beautiful African legend that addresses values about cooperation, equality and respect.
It is said that an anthropologist, visiting an African tribe, wanted to know what the basic human values of that people were. For this, he proposed a game to the children.
He then placed a basket full of fruit under a tree and told the children that the first one to reach the tree could have the basket.
When the signal was given, something unusual happened. The children ran towards the tree all holding hands. Thus, they all arrived at the prize together and were able to enjoy it equally.
The man was very intrigued and asked:
“Why did you run together if only one could win all the fruit?
To which one of the children promptly replied:
— Ubuntu! How could one of us be happy while the others are sad?
The anthropologist was then moved by the answer.
Ubuntu is a term from the Zulu and Xhosa culture that means "I am who I am because we are all of us". They believe that with cooperation, happiness is achieved, because everyone in harmony is much fuller.
6. Legend of the Fox and the Camel
The legend of the fox and the camel originates from South Sudan, a country in northeast Africa.
Legend has it that there was a fox named Awan who loved to eat lizards. She had already devoured them all on one side of the river, but wanted to cross to the other side, to eat more.
Turns out Awan couldn't swim and had an idea to solve the problem. She sought out her friend Zorol, a camel, and said:
- Hello Friend! I know you are very fond of barley and if you carry me on your back I will show you a way!
Zorol readily accepted:
- Climb! Let's go!
Awan then climbed onto his friend's hump and then instructed him to cross the river. When they got there, Zorol went to the barley field to eat while Awan feasted on the lizards.
The fox was soon satisfied, but the camel still ate. Awan then went to the barley field and started screaming and running.
The fox's screaming caught the attention of the owners of the barley field, who went there and gave a very strong stone to the camel's head, which fell injured.
When Awan found Zorol lying on the ground, she said:
— Let's go, it's already getting dark.
Zorol then asked:
"Why did you scream and start running?" Because of you they hurt me and I almost died!
"I have a habit of running and screaming after I eat lizards!" - Said Awan.
"Let's go home then!" - Spoken Zorol.
Awan climbed onto Zorol's back and the camel began to dance as they were crossing the river. Awan was desperate and asked:
- Why are you doing this?
— It's just that I have a habit of dancing after I eat barley. - Zorol replied.
At that moment, the fox fell off the camel's back and was carried away by the river. The camel in turn reached the other bank without any problems. Awan was then taught a lesson for his recklessness.
Folklore Quiz
How about getting to know Brazilian folklore as well? Check out the texts that Toda Matéria has prepared for you!
- Amazing Legends of Brazilian Folklore
- Northeastern folk legends you'll love
- Legends of the North Region that you need to know
- Fantastic Legends of the Midwest Region
- Legends of the Southeast that you can't miss
- Unmissable Legends of the South Region
- Interesting legends of indigenous culture
- Source of popular expressions you need to know
- Myths and legends from Brazil and the world
