The Kalenjin riddles

Riddles are statements, questions, or phrases that have double or veiled meanings put forth as a puzzle to be tackled by the respondent. In the Kalenjin community, riddle teasing was common among children. It was a pastime activity for children especially late in the evening or during heavy rains. The following are some of the common riddles among the Kalenjin people;

Riddle	Answer	English equivalent
Obuk maba	Kinaik	Breast
Kibir ng’weny Kichembe	Etyet	Bridge
Nyigis akobo Nyong’i	Rogoret	Drinking straw
Kiamas chemunai kober kowet	Terait/ Lekwelet	Bicycle
Nyon kechut osnoni kecheng korgo kichang koligo	Sosuryet	Wild banana
Birting/Kibirting	Korotik	Blood
Chaabi lilei kobiro	Koet	Liver
Itwole Keryeny kogasis Kosyom	Kenut	Vessel
Ibune oret nechabai anan nesingortot	Nechabai negoichoboe tuga	Smooth path
Arwab ilat kerer ngweny	Mogombombetab eik	Plough
Chepkulung kituiyo met	Magargarek	Lumps
Chepkugur mi oik	Muryat	Rat
Isurunen omo omin	Serut	Nose
Kyawirte rungunyun kowawa emet	Wagat	Wailing
Kona kona chelogoi	Retio	Radio
Kutkuteni ilat koitin tui	Chebibichet	Whirlwind
Muraran kamasyan	Tugab labot	Sodom apple
Kilang’ot kapkanyun kot ang’otee tilaatil	Butekab konyek	Eyelashes
Kyowe kot kobiririt oret	Birechik	Ants
Kyowe kot kolelit oret	Kibunerek	Mushrooms
Mugulen akobo konut	Muguik	Testicles
Kyochut anwa kwo soi	Oret	Path
Kyait goi iyoait goi iyo	Kageruiyo	Sleep
Kirginyun kiptubtub minjeiwa	Chebutyet	Hairy caterpillar
Kigulng’yon boiyot en terik kot koit oli	Chebutyet	Hairy caterpillar
Oini akwoini	Chepkiswet	swift
Ologun yon olok yu asiketuiyechin yun kemelgen eun	Kumik	Honey
Kitet-oi	Kelek	Teeth
Us ous keiyo	Tamnet	Goatee
Oini negolon amagole	Chepkomon	Thorn
Telel koech	Toloita	Pillar
Sirasir tembwo	Kiplekwa	Hare/rabbit
Telelen kiptildilyet ketitab iit asigogur chemunai en oik	Simoit	Telephone
Kyait goi ko keringoon ait goi ko keringoon	Kiskisik	Bowls