Philippine Riddles

• • • Done mainly for entertainment Pleasant pastime during labor and leisure Associated with most social groupings

content

Dahon ng pandapanda Magkasinlapad silang dalawa Ayan na ayan na Hindi pa makita • Describe things in the immediate environment of the folk

Consideration for the choice of subject

• • • • Familiar subjects – Universally known – Common household equipments and utensils – Parts of human body – Plants and animals Concrete objects Values Inherent riddle potential – Unusual structure – Uncommon characteristics

1. Metaphor

stylistic device

Isang prinsesa Nakaupos sa tasa Unga ng baka Abot sa Espanya

2. Paradox – reversal of the expected Nang maalaala’y naiwan Nadala nang malimutan Mataas ‘pag nakatayo Mababa ‘pag nakaupo

3. Description of a strange or odd occurrence A. an object performing a function not proper to it Hindi hari hindi pari nagsusuot ng sari sari B. object doing something it cannot logically do Lumuluha’y walang mata Lumalakad walang paa

4. Personification Nagtago si Pedro Labas ang ulo Ayan na si kaka pabukabukaka

5. The answer is contained in the riddle itself Sinampal ko muna bago ko inalok

6. Use of obscure words and phrases Isda ko sa maribeles nasa loob ang kaliskis