African-American Folklore

Br'er Rabbit and the Tar Baby

Br'er Rabbit uses clever reverse psychology to escape a sticky trap set by Br'er Fox.

Br'er Rabbit and the Briar Patch

A clever rabbit tricks a fox into 'punishing' him by throwing him into his own safe home.

Br'er Rabbit Tricks Br'er Fox

A clever rabbit uses a verbal trick to prove a 'dead' fox is very much alive and plotting.

Br'er Rabbit and the Well

Br’er Rabbit uses his wits and a well bucket to trick Br’er Fox and escape a sticky situation.

Br'er Rabbit's Laughing Place

Br'er Rabbit tricks Br'er Fox into a hornet's nest by promising a secret 'Laughing Place'.

John Henry the Steel Driver

A legendary steel driver faces a mechanical drill in an epic battle of human strength versus machine.

John HenryThe Captain

High John the ConquerorOld Massa

High John the Conqueror

A legendary spirit of wit and joy who gave hope and resilience to the enslaved.

Stackalee

A legendary outlaw defends his pride and his magic Stetson hat in a fatal St. Louis showdown.

StackaleeBilly Lyons

The People Could Fly

Enslaved people reclaim their ancestral magic to fly away from oppression to freedom.

TobySarah

The Flying Africans

Enslaved people use ancient magic to fly away from bondage and return to their ancestral home.

SarahToby