Some Dahomean Riddles

The Dahomean riddle is expressed with economy. Its appeal lies not
only in the hidden meaning of the solution, but more especially in its
double entendre, the play on words that is so important an element of
Dahomean everyday communication.

A period of riddling prefaces all storytelling sessions. For the adults
it is a warming-up time, a keying to attention, that keeps them occupied
until latecomers arrive. For the children it has the special function of
memory training, and is so recognized by the adults. To be present at
one of these children's storytelling sessions, presided over by one of
their age mates, and listen to the answers to the riddles coming with
lightning rapidity is like hearing a drill in the multiplication table. Of
the double entendre the children get nothing, though at certain points
they will laugh in imitation of their elders. It is this double entendre that
gives the riddle its importance in the rites for the dead. For the dead,
who are being sent away from the world of the living, must savor all that
gave them pleasure when alive; so at wakes the old men show their
mastery in introducing riddles with the broadest innuendo, the greatest
subtlety, and the sharpest suggestiveness. Some of these elements, un-
fortunately, are blurred or lost in translation.


Hole within hole, hair all round, pleasure comes from inside. (Answer:
A flute being played by a bearded man.)

A thing leaves the house bent over and returns home straight. (Answer: A water jar.)

A thing is naked going out, but returning, the body is covered with clothes. (Answer: Corn.)

My father eats with his anus and he defecates through his mouth. (Answer: A gun.)

One throws a thing across the hedge, and it falls in one heap. (Answer: A frog.)

A large hat in the midst of weeds. (Answer: A latrine.)

One thing falls in the water with a loud voice, another falls in the water with a soft voice. (Answer: A bottle of oil, a carrying basket.)