Don’t Fish on Sunday! A Virginia Fishing Folktale
African-American creature folktale from Virginia with a warning about what can happen if you fish on the Lord's day.
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Many Southern folk tales derive from African-American stories, brought over centuries ago by enslaved Africans. These stories served as African cultural vessels, keeping customs, beliefs and values alive for future generations. Some African-American stories were “trickster” tales like those of Br’er Rabbit, teaching fellow slaves how to survive by cunning and wit under an oppressive plantation system. Ghost stories like “Ibo Landing” described the horrors of slavery, and inspired pride in African roots.
Among the African-American stories you can read below are myths, ghost stories, animal tales, and encounters with the Devil himself!
Golem of the Gullah: A Jewish-Gullah Folktale
Jewish rabbi in Charleston, South Carolina stumbles across a secretive Gullah community - and enlists a magic creature to protect it.
The Barefoot Woman: An Alabama Trickster Tale
rican-American, trickster folktale from Alabama about how the Devil uses a powerful female temptation to try splitting apart a "lovey-dovey" couple.
The Click-Bok Tree: An African-American Slave Folktale
African-American slave folktale about a mysterious tree from Africa and the magic it unleashes on a cruel plantation owner.
A Beloved Teacher: A Coastal Georgia Ghost Story
Ghostly tale from coastal Georgia about a mysterious grave marker and the brave woman who lies there.
All God’s Chillun Had Wings
Dive into the rich history of the flying Africans, a tale of hope and resistance in the face of unimaginable adversity.
How Brer Coon Gets His Meat
Uncle Remus tale from African American folklore of how crafty Brer Rabbit and his friend Brer Coon get themselves an easy dinner.
Ibo Landing (Igbo Landing): A Tragic Georgia Ghost Story
Why do people hear chains rattling at night from Ibo (or Igbo) Landing? Find out in this ghost story from Georgia's St. Simons Island.
I Don’t Feel Dead Yet! | A Louisiana Ghost Story
African-American ghost story from Louisiana about a poor widow who wants to get on her with her life - if only her husband would stay dead!
Mississippi Rose: A Mississippi Ghost Story
Mississippi ghost story about a young boy's encounter with a strange girl who suddenly appears near his family's farm.