In most African societies, african riddles and jokes are a form of art. They are simple and elegant ways to communicate a lot of meaning in few words.
Riddles play an important role in the traditions of African speech and conversation. Like proverbs, African riddles are brief and based on observations of nature. However, with riddles, the listener is expected to guess the answer to a question or the meaning of a statement.
The best african riddles and jokes
Mother! Carry me on your back.
Prr! straight to Cape Town!
Let me go far away and when I come back let me catch hold of the tail of my mother’s cow.
A child’s porridge is delicious.
I was going along the road when I heard a person calling me, Sister -in-law!’but when l turned round there was no one in sight.
My house is small but it has many windows.
God’s cup is always open.
I have shut the door on my children and they are now fighting.
My house is large but its door is small.
My children are four in number but, when one goes away, the rest cannot work.
Who has a house too small for guests?
What do you look at with one eye, but never with two?
What is the village the Supreme Being built with only one house for the day and many for the night?
What is the house my father built with no central pole?
What is the fire God lit and never put out?
What is the fire my father lit that burns in the night, but not in the day?
What is it that cannot be counted?
What is it that when it falls does not make noise?
We hear it with our own ears, without seeing it with our own eyes. What is it?
There is a river in which you can wash only in the morning.
Everything is visible. But there is something that cannot be seen.
Why is a man like pepper?
What things always chase each other but never overtake one another?
Who has more courage than a Maasai warrior?
Who can whistle from another man’s mouth?
Who has a house too small for guest?
What do you look at with one eye but never with two?
It falls standing but runs on its belly. What is it?
It is greater than God and more evil than the devil. The poor have it, the rich need it and if you eat it you’ll die.What is it?
What it is that cannot be caught or brought?
Wherever I go, it closely follows me.
It keeps on setting off, but it never arrives.
My father’s suit is made of holes.
My son is crying in the forest. I hear him, but I do not see him.
When I face an enemy, I do know what to do. But facing this one, there is nothing I can do.
Three people stand near a river they have to ford. The first one, after a closer look around, crosses it. The second one looks at the riverbank and at the water, but does not cross it. The third one does not see the river and does not cross it. Who are the three?
The two of us cross the wilderness without talking to each other.
Your mother walks across the village with life poking out (of her body).
My brown one with speedy calves?
Why are you so brave yet you cannot sit at the place where the little black girl sits?
They moved homes and the red one was born?
I have an ox who lives in the midst of enemies?
Why is your sister so very short yet there is no fruit that is beyond her reach?
My house/dwelling has neither windows nor doors.
I (can) hear it but I don’t (i.e. can’t) see it.
My mountain has a forest only at the peak/summit.
My lamps illuminates the entire world/earth.
Here you see nothing and over there you see nothing.
My soldiers all wear black clothes.
I hear him all the time but I don’t see him.
It is invisible and untouchable.
It makes all the people cry.
It is always with you but you never see it.
My hen has laid an egg on thorns.
My European’s hand is always on his waist.
When I beat/hit my child, the people dance/play.
My house/dwelling has no lights (inside).
It is yours, but your friends use it more than you do, What it is?
What is it that gets wetter when it dries?
What is as light as a feather, yet no man can hold it for long?
I turn around once.What is out will not get in. I turn around again.What is in will not get out. What am I?
On my way home the other day, I met with a load of wood that was neither straight nor crooked. What kind of wood was it?
I am the beginning of sorrow, and the end of sickness. You cannot express happiness without me, yet I am in the midst of crosses. I am always in risk, yet never in danger. You may find me in the sun, but I am never out of darkness. What am I?
Discovered in Africa, I spread like a tide, to become a hot staple known the world wide. A necessity to some, a treasure to many, I’m best enjoyed among pleasant company. Some like me hot and some like me cold. Some prefer mild, others only bold. Some take me straight, while some like to savor my essence to which has been added a flavor. So put down your cares and sit awhile with me; I’ll send you back refreshed and full of energy. What am I?
Crossing a river with your cow and your wife, in the risk of drowning, what will you save?
When I look at you I see you through to the intestines.
I have gone round the forest with a multicoloured motorcycle.
It is upside down but does not leak.
They face up as if they are about to lead a song.
I have a person who stays between two swords but never gets cut.
My house has only one pole.
Those things in the cave have one hundred eyes.
An elephant with one ear.
What is death without mourning? Is it not sleep akin to death?
What is the use of shouting if nobody comes to help?
Who is loved, even though has done no good?
Who is hated even though has done no wrong?
Do you have any riddles to share? Please feel free to post them in the comment box below – we’d love to hear from you!
