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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | The literary riddle in Swahili |
Author: | Harries, L. |
Year: | 1971 |
Periodical: | African Studies |
Volume: | 30 |
Issue: | 3 |
Pages: | 259-276 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | East Africa |
Subjects: | riddles Swahili language |
External link: | https://doi.org/10.1080/00020187108707362 |
Abstract: | In view of the fact that the Arabs, who introduced works of Arab origin to East Africa, were not much interested in riddling, the Svahili, compared with other African tribal societies, are missing a strong tradition of riddling. Consequently the Svahili riddles are invariably from oral tradition with an African, not an Arabian, background. The literary riddle in Swahili seems to be an extension of the enigmatic dialogue verse, a notable feature of Swahili poetry. Six riddles are reproduced here in their original form with translation. Notes. |