Dying Over Honey African Folklore | The African Gourmet
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Dying Over Honey: African Folklore of Koelle and His Two Wives
In this African folktale, honey becomes more than sweetness — it becomes a test of thoughtfulness, greed, and truth. The story of Koelle and his wives reminds us that generosity sweetens life, while selfishness sours it forever.
Koelle’s wives discover honey in the forest — the sweetness that leads to tragedy.
The Folktale of Koelle
Koelle had two wives. One day, both went to fetch firewood together. The younger wife discovered some honey. They harvested it and ate together — but the older wife saved a little for home. When questioned, she replied, “You have only a husband to care for, and yet you forget him. I will take honey home to mine.”
The younger wife said nothing but grew bitter. That evening, the older wife offered her husband the honey she had saved. He praised her and ate it all. Then, thinking the younger wife would have brought more, he rushed to her house — but she had none.
Angry that his favorite wife had not thought of him, Koelle struck her, and she fell dead against the fireplace stones. To calm the earth spirits, he buried her with her bead-and-feather necklace. But a few feathers rose and turned into a bird that circled above, crying, “I am the wife of Koelle! He killed me for honey!”
Haunted by the bird, Koelle killed it and sealed it in his bag. Later, when he reached another village, he opened the bag — and the bird flew out, repeating its cry for all to hear. The villagers demanded the truth; Koelle denied it, but they saw his guilt. Justice came swiftly: Koelle was punished, and his greed became a warning sung for generations.
Moral of the Story
Love without thoughtfulness is empty. Honey in this story symbolizes sweetness turned to sorrow — a reminder that what we keep to ourselves may destroy what we love most.
Cultural Insight
This tale belongs to a long African storytelling tradition where honey symbolizes both sweetness and temptation. Across many regions — from West Africa to the Congo Basin — honey often appears in proverbs and fables as a test of generosity, humility, and respect for the unseen moral order.
Explore more lessons in our African Proverbs Collection and African Folktales Hub.
