Iraqw Riddles

The Riddle Competition


The below video shows a short part of a riddle competition. The challenger shouts siník (this has no other meaning) and to accept the challenge, a competitor will shout geérankay (also has no other meaning). Usually, the challenger says a sentence which is like a cryptogram, and their competitor offers the solution. The solution is often just one word. If the competitor has no clue about what the solution could be, he says hanoós, ‘give it,’ but the challenger needs to be paid first and says maanomoeé’ hanisang. This literally means ‘give me a manda person’. After this symbolic gift, the solution is told.