Ilami Folk Riddles
Author
Abstract
Riddle is a literary genre, which has roots in the ancient layers of
human history encompassing the entire range of human
culture. Although the most important characteristic of this genre is
that it has been transmitted orally, its written records in Persian
literature and culture date back to the pre-Islamic literature and the
Avestan language. Therefore, it seems that the riddle-telling tradition
has prevailed among all Iranian ethnic groups and sub-cultures,
especially The Kurds and the people of Ilam. Among the most
important reasons behind the popularity of riddle-telling tradition in
the culture and language of Ilam, one can mention the aspects of
entertainment, creativity, memory and mind enhancement, which are
associated with the genre. Generally, Ilami riddles can be categorized
into six groups: plants and fruits; animals and animal parts; human
and human moods and organs and tissues; man-made tools and
products; natural elements and components; and human sciences.
Obviously, the folk culture and the riddle tradition, which is called
‘Chaw-cha’ (roughly ‘what and what’) in the Ilami native language,
today are on the verge of annihilation, and are being endangered due
to the passing away of the previous generation who preserved the
tradition in their hearts, and also due to the advent of modern
communication technologies like TV, radio, Internet, mobile phones,
satellites, etc.
human history encompassing the entire range of human
culture. Although the most important characteristic of this genre is
that it has been transmitted orally, its written records in Persian
literature and culture date back to the pre-Islamic literature and the
Avestan language. Therefore, it seems that the riddle-telling tradition
has prevailed among all Iranian ethnic groups and sub-cultures,
especially The Kurds and the people of Ilam. Among the most
important reasons behind the popularity of riddle-telling tradition in
the culture and language of Ilam, one can mention the aspects of
entertainment, creativity, memory and mind enhancement, which are
associated with the genre. Generally, Ilami riddles can be categorized
into six groups: plants and fruits; animals and animal parts; human
and human moods and organs and tissues; man-made tools and
products; natural elements and components; and human sciences.
Obviously, the folk culture and the riddle tradition, which is called
‘Chaw-cha’ (roughly ‘what and what’) in the Ilami native language,
today are on the verge of annihilation, and are being endangered due
to the passing away of the previous generation who preserved the
tradition in their hearts, and also due to the advent of modern
communication technologies like TV, radio, Internet, mobile phones,
satellites, etc.
Keywords
منابع
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