Donate to Save Human History

The African Gourmet: Folktales, Cuisine & Cultural History

Explore Africa’s Heritage

Explore tales that carry Africa’s wisdom, courage, and humor. From river spirits to trickster animals, every story holds a lesson.

From hearty stews to fragrant grains, experience traditional African recipes and the history behind every dish.

Ancient African proverbs and modern interpretations — explore the wisdom passed down through generations.

Dive into Africa’s kingdoms, independence stories, and modern milestones that shape the continent today.

The Ostrich's Guardian Angels African Folktale

The Ostrich's Guardian Angels African Folktale shows the value of mutual cooperation and even the smallest creatures can make a big difference.

African folktales are an important part of the continent's rich cultural heritage, passed down through generations by oral storytelling. These stories are often filled with magical characters, moral lessons, and themes that reflect the values and traditions of African communities. One such folktale is the story of how ants saved the ostrich eggs set in South Africa on a savanna.

The Ostrich's Guardian Angels African Folktale

In this classic African Folktale the fragile ostrich eggs required protection, and the ants rose to the challenge without hesitation. They didn't mind that the ostrich eggs didn't resemble them, nor did they expect anything in return for their help.

The Ostrich's Guardian Angels: A Tale of Gratitude and Protection African Folktale.

In the time before memory, when the earth was young, there was a myth that was shared, in the vast savannas of South Africa, an ostrich mother laid her eggs on the warm, sandy ground. She carefully covered them with sand and went off in search of food, leaving her precious eggs to be warmed by the sun.

But lurking nearby were a group of cunning jackals who were always on the lookout for an easy meal. They spotted the ostrich eggs and saw an opportunity to satisfy their hunger. They sneaked closer and began to dig up the eggs from the sand.

Just as they were about to feast on the eggs, a colony of ants appeared out of nowhere. They were tiny, but they were numerous and fierce. They swarmed around the jackals, biting them with their sharp mandibles and driving them away from the ostrich eggs.

The jackals were no match for the swarm of angry ants, and they retreated with empty stomachs. The ants had saved the ostrich eggs from being destroyed.

When the ostrich mother returned to her nest, she saw the trail of the jackals and feared the worst. But as she approached her nest, she saw the ants swarming around it, protecting her precious eggs.

She was overjoyed and grateful to the ants for saving her eggs. She realized that even the smallest creatures can make a big difference in the world.

From that day on, the ostrich mother and the ants formed a special bond. The ants helped protect the ostrich eggs from predators, and in return, the ostrich would leave them a small portion of her food each day.

And so, the ostrich and the ants lived in harmony on the savannas of South Africa, each one relying on the other for protection and sustenance. And the legend of how the ants saved the ostrich eggs became a popular folktale among the people who lived on the savanna.

The Ostrich's Guardian Angels: A Tale of Gratitude and Protection

The African folktale story takes place in the savannas of South Africa, where an ostrich mother lays her eggs and leaves them to be warmed by the sun. A group of jackals try to steal the eggs, but a colony of ants appears and drives the jackals away. The ostrich mother returns to find her eggs safe, and she forms a special bond with the ants. They continue to protect the eggs from predators, and the ostrich leaves them a portion of her food as a gesture of gratitude. This folktale illustrates the importance of mutual cooperation and the idea that even the smallest creatures can make a big difference.

More links to articles you will find thought provoking.

Tasting African History Through Street Food African proverbs are to speech what salt is to food What is a person from Africa called

Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet=

How Are You Feeling Today? Find an African Proverb or Story to Match Your Mood

How Are You Feeling Today?

Type or tap a mood. Your storyteller returns a proverb, mini-folktale, recipe, cooking activity, and a cultural note.

⋯ ✦ ⋯

Folklore Meets Science

Folklore Meets Science
African stories that explain the universe

African Gourmet FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The African Gourmet blog about?

The African Gourmet explores African food, history, and culture through recipes, folktales, and proverbs written for curious readers worldwide.

Who writes The African Gourmet?

The blog is written and curated by Ivy, a lifelong historian and storyteller who highlights Africa’s culinary and cultural richness.

How can I find African recipes on this site?

Use the “African Recipes” category or explore posts like African Recipes for regional dishes and ingredients.

Can I share or reprint your articles?

You may share articles with attribution and a link back to The African Gourmet. Reprinting in print or commercial use requires permission.

Where can I learn more about African proverbs and folklore?

Explore our African Proverbs and African Folktales sections for timeless wisdom and stories.

African Gourmet Newsletter

Light African snack spicy popcorn

Join The African Gourmet Newsletter

Join our African Gourmet Newsletter to get new folktales, recipes, and history every month.

Includes a light snack idea every month 🍊

African Studies

African Studies
African Culture and traditions