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Oral Literature

Riddles

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Introduction To Riddles

– A riddle is a short saying intended to make one to use his wits in discovering the hidden meaning.
– Familiar objects or situations are referred to in a figurative terms for us to figure out what is meant.

Classification of Riddles

– Riddles are classified according to:

  1. Simplicity or complexity of the riddle
  2. Objects mentioned in the riddle
  3. Style and structure of the riddle

(a) Simplicity or Complexity

  1. A simple riddle is brief and straightforward
  2. A riddle is complex when it is long and is presented in a series of puzzles

(b) According to Objects Mentioned

– A riddle can be classified according to the object referred to in that riddle.
– A riddle can therefore be classified as:

  1. Riddle on people
  2. Riddle on waste product, e.g. human waste
  3. Riddles on cultural objects
  4. Natural phenomena, like rocks
  5. Domestic animals
  6. Plants
  7. Birds
  8. Parts of the body
  9. And others

(c) Style and Structure

– A style is also crucial in classifying riddles.
– According to the style and structure, riddles can be classified as:

  1. Declarative riddles are presented as direct descriptions
  2. Epigrammatic riddles, which are presented as series of puzzles
  3. Idiophonic riddles use ideophones
  4. Interrogative riddles are posed as questions

Characteristics of Riddles

– Proverbs have features such as brief and contain wisdom.

Stylistic Qualities of Riddles

  1. They are short and brief
  2. Use personification
  3. Use of metaphor
  4. Use of ideophones
  5. Use of onomatopoeic words
  6. Use repetition

Riddling Process

– There are two parties involved: the audience (respondents) and the challenger(or the riddler).
– There are basically four stages of a riddling process, but at times six.
– The parts of the riddling process are:

  1. The riddler challenges the audience. The challenge differs from community to community. Some phrases used here include: riddle riddle!, I have a riddle! Etc.
  2. The respondents accept the challenge. The invitations include: riddle come! Throw it! Etc.
  3. The riddler then poses the riddle.
  4. The guess or guesses. The audience tries to come up with the solution. If they are unable, then the next part follows.
  5. The challenger asks for a prize. The prize can be a town or city, or any other thing. The challenger accepts the prize.
  6. Then the solution is given by the challenger.

Functions of Riddles

  1. They entertain. Entertainment arises from the objects they refer to.
  2. They educate. Language is taught. The environment is also understood better.
  3. They teach values.
  4. Help develop the ability to think faster.
  5. Logical reasoning of participants are improved.

Examples of Riddles

1. Riddle: What has to be broken before you can use it?
Answer: An egg

2. Riddle: You walk into a room that contains a match, a kerosene lamp, a candle and a fireplace. What would you light first?
Answer: The match

3. Riddle: What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?
Answer: A river

4. Riddle: If you drop me I’m sure to crack, but give me a smile and I’ll always smile back. What am I?
Answer: A mirror

5. Riddle: I have lakes with no water, mountains with no stone and cities with no buildings. What am I?
Answer: A map

Test Your Knowledge

Click below to generate a short, interactive 5-question quiz based on this lesson.

Riddles - PreviousProverbsNext - RiddlesTongue Twisters

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