I bring you a compilation of Riddles in náhuatl , An indigenous language with thousands of years that is still spoken and studied in schools in Latin America.
Nahuatl is the native language that existed in America before the colonization of the Spanish. As colonization spread, this language was lost and was replaced by Castilian.
Even so, it is one of the most spoken native languages in Mexico with more than one and a half million speakers. It is believed that in the world, about 7 million people speak this pre-Columbian language.
Riddles in the Nahuatl Indigenous Language
1- Maaske mas titlaakatl yes but mitschooktis
- Translation: however man you are, it will make you cry.
- Answer: the onion.
2- Za zan tleino Tepetozcatl quitoca momamatlaxcalotiuh Papalotl
- Translation: through the colorful valley, clapping clap like someone who throws tortillas.
- Answer: the butterfly.
3- Lipan se tlakomoli, westok waan nokweptok, to oksee side
- Translation: to the invited food, even if it is of dish and spoon.
- Answer: the omelette.
4- Zazan tleino, xoxouhqui xicaltzintli, momochitl yesterday. Aca qittaz tozazaniltzin, tla ca nenca ilhuicatl
- Translation: what is a blue jícara, planted of roasted maize, that are called momochtli?
- Answer: The starry sky
5- Ridxabe huaxhinni rixána be siado '
- Translation: a lady who day by day makes everything a waste. Stop in the morning and get pregnant at night.
- Answer: the house.
6- Tlake, tlake, tsikuini uan tsikuini aun amo tikajasi
- Translation: what is it, what is it, that jumps and you do not reach it?
- Answer: the rabbit.
7- Zazan tleino, icuitlaxcol quihuilana, tepetozcatl quitoca. Aca quittaz tozazaniltzin, tla caenca huitzmalot
- Translation: what is it that goes through a valley, and carries the entrails dragging?
- Answer: the needle sewing.
8- See tosaasanil, see tosaasaanil See ichpokatsin iitlakeen melaak pistik tomatl
- Translation: you have not guessed it: who is the girl, with the huipil so tight?
- Answer: the tomato.
9- Uñijximeajts ajtsaj ximbas salñuwindxey makiejp op saltsankan makiejp ñity.
- Translation: of leaf wrapped and moored with palm is my disguise. In my body of mass my heart of flesh you will find.
- Answer: the tamale.
10- Zazan tleino, cuatzocoltzin mictlan ommati. Aca quittaz tozazaniltzin, tla ca nenca apilolli, ic atlacuihua
- Translation: Cantarillo de palo that knows the region of the dead.
- Answer: the pitcher of water.
11- See tosaasaanil, see tosaasaanil, see iixtetetsitsinte
- Guess who, fortune teller, eye-catcher is.
- Answer: the needle.
12- Ni cayúnini ma'cutiip i ni cazi'ni ma' cayuuna 'nor guiqu iiñenila ma'qué zuuyani
- Guess what, guess what? The one who makes it, does it by singing. The one who buys it, buys it crying. The one who uses it, is no longer seeing it.
- Answer: the coffin.
13- Zazan tleino, matlactin tepatlactli quimamamatimani. Aca quittaz tozazaniltzin, tla ca nenca tozti
- Translation: what is the ten stones that one always carries on?
- Answer: the nails.
14- Zan zan tleine cimalli itic tentica
- Translation: small but weighted, full of shields.
- Answer: chile.
15- Za zan tleino Iztactetzintli quetzalli conmantica
- Guess what, guess what? What is it like a white stone, that feathers of quetzal sprout from it?
- Answer: the onion
16- Amalüw xik munxuey xik samal küty akiejp as najchow ximbas wüx satüng amb xa onds
- Translation: you have to guess! My body is a reed and in my belly I carry a mecapal. With tamemes I go and I come from the sea. Loaded with fish and corn for breakfast, lunch and even dinner.
- Answer: the chestnut.
17- Ñity ayaküw ximal xiel ayaküw xi lyej sanguoch atyily tyety nüty tyiel ximeajts axojtüw ñipilan
- My mind is covered in palm. My wooden feet are. In me people rest, because I stop the rays of the sun.
- Answer: the bower.
18- Tu laame, tu laame de c h e m e n a pa m e dooxqui'me
- Translation: Guess again! Who in your back carries guts that you even see?
- Answer: the shrimp.
19- Zazan tetino quetzalcomoctzin quetzalli conmantica
- Translation: guess if you can: gray hairs have the tip and some green feathers.
- Answer: the onion.
20- Awijchiw xik tyiel ndyuk sajrrok tyiel yow atajtüw xik tyiel ndxup sawüñ ütyiw ñipilan
- Translation: so that people can give their food. In a chiquihuite I have to dance, after throwing myself and plunging into the sea.
- Answer: the bolt.
21- Thy word, tulaabe, rayan nibe nápabe dxitá xquibe
- Translation: Who is and who is the one in whose neck loads its eggs to the right and the reverse?
- Answer: the palm tree.
22- Zazan tleino aco cuitlaiaoalli mouiuixoa .
- Translation: round in the highest and also belly, I shake and I scream so you can dance.
- Answer: the maraca.
23- Natyek umbas ñikands umeajts nanbyur ulük nangan mi kej .
- Translation: a feast you will give... Green outside you will see me and black teeth inside you will find. From my sweet blood red heart will you eat, will you guess?
- Answer: the watermelon.
24- Xilaani, biétini lu dani, nápani chonna ne ti xiiñini
- Translation: how do you see it? Under the hill. And I have three feet. And a son who grinds How can not you see!
- Answer: the mortar.
25- Wi'ij tu jalk'esa'al, na'aj tu jáala'al
- Translation: hungry are taking her. Full load bring her.
- Answer: a bucket.
26- Chak u paach, sak u ts'u '.
- Translation: of reddish skin. Inside bleached.
- Answer: the radish.
27- Wa na'atun na'ateche 'na'at le ba'ala': Jump'éel ts'ool wukp'éel u jool
- Translation. Guess, riddle: seven holes, one pumpkin.
- Answer: the head.
28- Na'at le baola paalen: Ken xi iken si yaan jun tul joy kep K'eenken tu beelili
- Translation: do not guess boy: If you're going to cut wood, a very lazy pig will look for you on the road.
- Answer: the honeycomb.
29- Mo apachtsontsajka mitskixtiliya uan axke tikita?
- Translation: what is it?, what is it? You take off your hat and you do not see it.
- Answer: the air.
30 Nochita kwak kiawi Notlakeenpatla
- Translation: A very old man, every time it rains, he changes his dress.
- Answer: the hill.
References
- AMITH, Jonathan D."As broad as your grandmother": náhuatl riddles of the Central Warrior. Tlalocan , 2013, vol. 12.
- Page 2 Indigenous riddles . Lectorum Publications, 1984.
- FARFÁN, José Antonio Flores. Nahuas riddles of today and forever: see tosaasaanil, see tosaasaanil . Ciesas, 1995.
- FARFÁN, José Antonio Flores. Tsintsiinkiriantsintsoonkwaakwa, Nahuas / Tsintsiinkiriantsintsoonkwaakwa, Nahuas Tongue Twisters . Ediciones Era, 2007.
- DE LA PEÑA, María Teresa Miaja. From"divinare"to"mirabillia": the riddle in the Mexican folk tradition. In Proceedings of the XIV Congress of the International Association of Hispanists: New York, July 16-21, 2001 . Juan de la Cuesta, 2004. p. 381-388.
- FARFÁN, José Antonio Flores. EFFECTS OF NÁHUATL-SPANISH CONTACT IN THE REGION OF BALSAS, GUERRERO. DISPLACEMENT, MAINTENANCE AND LINGUISTIC RESISTANCE. Náhuatl Culture Studies , 2003, p. 331.
- DAKIN, Karen. Studies on the Nahuatl. Advances and Balances of Languages Yutoaztecas, INAH, Mexico, DF , 2001.