The Functions, Classification and Performance of Riddles with Examples
A riddle is a short saying intended to make one use his wits in unraveling the hidden meaning.
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The Functions, Classification and Performance of Riddles with Examples Definition of a riddle: A riddle is a short saying intended to make one use his wits in unravelling the hidden meaning. In a riddle, the listener is faced with a question or an allusive sentence referring to something else which they must try to figure out. Riddles are told as a prelude to the telling of stories. They can also be told in between stories. Riddles are also used in conversations to issue veiled threats, convey secret information and as a vehicle of humour. Performance of riddles Different communities’ different ways of performing riddles. Kikamba : Challenge : Kwata ndai (take a riddle) Acceptance : (A) Nakwata (I take it) Riddle : Kaveti kanini kanaa nesa kwi mwenyu (A small one who cooks better than your mother) Solution : Ni nzuki (It’s bees) Kiswahili Kitendawili (a riddle) A ; tega (pose it) R : Kaa huku nikae kule tumvue nguo mshenzi. (Stay on this side and me on the other side so that we can strip this fool). Guesses : By the competitor to decipher the riddle. If he is successful he wi…
