AFRICAN & AFRICAN AMERICAN ORIGINS OF BUGS BUNNY: WEST AFRICAN FOLKTALE African Folktales, Notably Br're Rabbit, were enjoyed by European Americans and African Americans alike. Enslaved West africans imported Folktales of the Trickster Hare from Nigeira, Angola, and amongst the Mandinka and Wolof people of West africa. During slavery and long after, African American shared stories about the Trickster hare in the American South. Br're was introduced into American Popluar culture via Joel Chandle