African Folktale Selfish Takanda and the Flood
African Folktale: Selfish Takanda and the Flood
Promises made, promises broken — Takanda’s story teaches that greed and broken faith can destroy even those favored by the gods.
The Story of Selfish Takanda
Takanda was a farmer who made a pact with Mbona, the rain god. Whenever Takanda wanted sunshine, he was to stand outside his house and cry “Pass! Pass!” and the clouds would roll away. When he needed rain, he was to call “Fall! Fall!” and the rains would come. Each time, he was to lay fifty cowries on the ground in thanks to Mbona.
At first Takanda kept his word and the fields flourished. But greed soon entered his heart. On the day of a chief’s wedding, dark clouds threatened rain. The chief feared his celebration would be ruined. Takanda promised sunshine for two hundred cowries and cried, “Pass! Pass!” The clouds obeyed — but he did not place the offering. He kept the money for himself.
Later a fisherman came begging for rain. Takanda took his payment, called “Fall! Fall!” and rain poured — again with no offering to Mbona. Word spread of his power, and cowries filled his house. He gave nothing back to the spirit who had blessed him.
Selfish Takanda and the Flood — a lesson in keeping one’s promises.
Mbona watched silently as Takanda grew richer and more arrogant. When two villagers asked for rain and sunshine on the same day, Takanda pretended he was too tired to pray — and the rain fell anyway.
At last, Mbona decided to teach him a lesson. When Takanda set out on a journey with his family, he called, “Pass! Pass! Let the sun shine on my path!” But Mbona unleashed the rain instead. Storms raged, rivers overflowed, and Takanda’s wealth was washed away. He and his family were swept into the flood — and the village learned that broken promises bring ruin.
The Moral of the Story
Greed and dishonesty destroy trust and balance. Takanda’s betrayal of Mbona represents human disrespect for nature’s order. In African tradition, keeping promises is a spiritual duty that sustains community and harmony with the earth.
Did You Know? Mbona Rainmaker Traditions
In Malawi, rainmaking is both a spiritual and environmental practice. Mbona Rainmaker worshipers hold ceremonies to call rain in times of drought or to appease flooding rivers. Rain-fed agriculture is vital to Malawi’s rural economy, and traditional knowledge of seasons still guides many farmers today.
A rainmaker is respected not for magic but for wisdom — the ability to observe clouds, winds, and animals and interpret them as messages from the environment. This ancient art reflects Africa’s deep scientific heritage.
Explore More African Folklore and Wisdom
- African Folklore Hub — Stories of wisdom, humor, and moral truth from across Africa.
- How Africans Predicted Rain Before Satellites — Explore traditional African meteorology.
- Rainmaker’s Challenge Game — Play to learn the science behind the folktale.
