When the moon once rose over Igbo villages, it was time for stories—time for what we call today in English “moonlight stories”. Children would gather around the elders and the tales would start… Stories about the tortoise and the chameleon, the chicken and the goat, the frog and the fish. But these were not just stories. These were lessons. The animals in each tale reflected deeply human struggles: pride versus humility, curiosity and consequence, patience versus arrogance, trust and trickery…
But today, we don’t hear many elders tell those stories to their children. Their voices have been overtaken by louder ones—television, digital media, and distant echoes of colonial ideals. Igbo moonlight stories, once central to family evenings, are now too often left untold.
Yet, in a twist of fate, the same digital world that once pushed these tales aside is giving them new life. Through an audiobook for children, these African bedtime stories are reaching young listeners again—across borders, languages, and generations.
What Is Moonlight Stories – Fables from Nigeria?
“Moonlight Stories – Fables from Nigeria” is an audiobook created by Julius, Magdalena and Divine Maduaka. It is a collection of African bedtime stories in English, grounded in traditional Igbo storytelling. Each tale is designed for children aged 4 to 7. Told in English, and also available in Polish and Danish, the stories invite children—and their caregivers—to listen to stories that carry age-old wisdom…
Why It Matters
In many parts of Nigeria and the diaspora, children grow up without hearing the traditional stories their parents once knew. These Nigerian bedtime stories were more than entertainment—they were tools to teach morality and build identity.
By reviving these African moonlight stories in a new medium, “Moonlight Stories – Fables from Nigeria” preserves cultural literacy while adapting to modern life. It’s a reminder that bedtime stories for kids can still instil traditional wisdom in the young generation.
How It Sounds
Each story is accompanied by a vast array of instruments – most prominent being ekwe and ogene, and a touch of classic highlife. This immersive audio environment brings the Igbo village setting to life, making it feel close, real—even for children who have never visited Nigeria.
Whether you’re rediscovering stories from your childhood or sharing them for the first time, these moonlight stories with moral lessons connect generations through shared wisdom.
Where to Listen
Moonlight Stories audiobook accessible worldwide on the streaming platforms:
IGBO SENTIMENT 