Culture: Riddles


Riddles are traditionally started by the narrator saying, 'Kitendawili' (The riddle). The listener replies, 'tega' (set it), and the riddle begins.

RiddleTranslationAnswer
Nyumba yangu kubwabali ina nguzo moja tu.My house is large but has only one pillar.Uyoga (mushroom)
Haukamatiki wala haushikiki.It can be neither caught nor held.Moshi (smoke)
Po pote niendapo anifuaya.Wherever I go, he follows me closely.Kivuli (shadow)
Daima yupo njiani anakwenda, bali bado hajafiki mwisho wa safari yake.He goes on forever, but never reaches his destination.Jua (the sun)
Kanzu ya baba imejaa matobo.My father's kanzu (gown) is in holes.Dema (fishtrap)
Mwanangu analia mwituni.My child is crying in the forest.Shoka (axe)
Samaki wangu anaelea kimgongomgongo.My big fish is floating on its back.Merikebu (ship)
Daima namsikia tu bali simwoni.I always hear him but can't see him.Upepo (wind)
Nikutanapo na adui yangu hunyong'onyea nisiwe na la kufanya.When I come across my enemy, I am not confused but I can't do anything about it.Ugonjwa (illness)
Ninapompiga mwanangu watu hucheza.When I beat my child, people dance.Ngoma (drum)
Nina watoto wangu ambao daima wanafukuzana lakini hawakamatani.I have children who are always chasing each other but they never overtake one another.Magurudumu ya gari (wheels of a vehicle)
Nyumba yangu haina mlango.My house has no door.Yai (egg)
Nyumba yangu kuu ina mlango mdogo.My house is large but the door is small.Chupa (bottle)
Nina watoto wanne, lakini akiondoka mmoja waliosalia hawafanyi kazi.My children are four in number but, when one goes away, the rest cannot work.Matendegu ya kitanda (legs of a bed)
Taa yangu yazagaa ulimwengu mzima. My lamp illuminates the whole world.Mwezi (the moon)


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©1996-2004 Timothy F. Bliss