Theme · 2 stories

Leadership

Parables from across Africa that turn on the lesson of leadership.

cameroon · Bamileke

The Drum That Told the Truth

A chief receives a drum that will only sound under hands that have spoken truly all year. On the day of the festival, the village waits to see whose hands it will silence.

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senegal · Wolof · Mandinka

The Griot and the King

A young king demands only praise from his griot. The griot keeps singing — until the day the kingdom needs a warning, and discovers the songs have no room left for the truth.

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