The Tripartite Function of Riddles in the Socio-cultural System of the Ilaje People in Southwestern Nigeria

Academic Paper from the year 2021 in the subject African Studies - Literature, grade: 74, Adekunle Ajasin University, course: History and International Studies, language: English, abstract: Undoubtedly, the place of riddles as a form of oral literature cannot be overemphasized in the socio-cultural system of the Ilaje people. Riddles are repository of artistic expression, traditional wisdom, knowledge and values that had in time past sustained Ilaje autochthon heritage being that, they were passed down from one generation to another through the medium of mouth. Thus, help to develop children cognitive, preserve cultural heritage while serving the duo purpose of entertainment and education. The core of this paper therefore is to catalogue riddles, originally written in Ilaje dialect while it takes a cursory look at the tripartite function of Riddles in Ilaje socio-cultural system using the historical narrative methodology.