Have fun with our collection of more than seventy, and growing, popular Bukusu riddles for kids and adults translation to English and with answers.
Whenever we received guests at home it was time for us to put forth good manners. I have written here severally about my no nonsense mother; remember her? We made sure we made her proud, often stealing glances at her just to be sure we wouldn’t be facing music from lukhendu later.
I particularly loved visitors who came with children my age or a bit older. When we went to bed, it was time for the visiting children and us to exchange notes. Part of what we boasted over is our knowledge and prowess in Bukusu riddles (kiminayi).
In this article:
- Telling a riddle in Bukusu.
- Bukusu riddles for kids. In this section find:
- Kids riddles about parts of the human body.
- Riddles best for kids that taste their knowledge on animals.
- Brain teasers for children on insects and crawling creatures.
- Riddles teasing kids knowledge on trees and plants.
- Bukusu riddles for kids on food and cooking.
- Common Bukusu riddles for kids that gently introduce concepts in weather, astrology and cosmology.
- Kuminayi for older kids.
- Bukusu riddles for adults.
- Hard Bukusu riddles.
Telling a riddle in Bukusu
The Bukusu have a standard way of one alerting their audience before throwing a riddle. There is a call and response is as follows:
Caller: Namunayii_ (Riddle, riddle_) Respondent: Kwichee? (Riddle come!)
The caller will then throw the riddle. If the respondent got the answer to the riddle wrong, the caller would then embark on the long form version of how baBukusu told brainteasers. Come on parents! Test your wits, time for some family fun and lift the gloom of COVID-19 with these 70+ common Bukusu riddles.
Bukusu riddles for kids
The following kimianyi not only are good brainteasers for school going kids, but also excellent tools to expand their worldview explaining to them the world around them. They include Bukusu riddles on insects, animals, food, trees and the human body.
Bukusu riddles teaching kids about parts of the human body
Have fun as you teach kids about the different parts of the human body with these Bukusu riddles.
| Bukusu proverb | Answer to Bukusu proverb |
|---|---|
| Basikari base bapa chisharuti khulala (My soldiers salute at the same time_) | Bisike. (Eye lids.) |
| Nachile ebuwanga bakona khwasie_ (I visited the Wanga, they sleep with doors ajar_) | Kamolu. (The nose.) |
| Nabiala kamayindi kamakali mumukunda lakini nakhafuna sekechula mukhono ta_ (I planted a lot of maize on my farm, but when I harvest they can’t fit in my fist_) | Lichune. (Hair.) |
| Kuka kombakha libati ne papa ta_ (My grandfather has an iron thatched house and my father hasn’t_) | Chimbuchi. (Grey hair.) |
| Ndangira kwanjongakho_ (I walk in front of it_) | Kumukongo. (The back.) |
| Ndi nekhafu yase sebira musilibwa ta_ (My cow can’t pass through the gate_) | Engumi mukhunwa. (A fist in your mouth.) |
| Engokho yase erera mumawa_ (My chicken lays eggs in thorns_) | Lulimi mukhanwa. (Tongue in the mouth.) |
Bukusu riddles for kids that taste their knowledge on animals
A fun way to enrich kids Bukusu language vocabulary as well as explain the world around them.
| Bukusu riddle | Answer to Bukusu riddle |
|---|---|
| Ndi ne khafu yase eli ne kamarumba kamakali_ (I have a cow with many humps_) | Efukho. (Rat mole.) |
| Sina sisiokesia basungu khung’ona emutoka_ (What motivated white men to make vehicles_) | Likhutu. (Tortoise.) |
| Manyonge khungila_ (Manyonge on the road_) | Ekhaniafu. (Chameleon.) |
| Miu miu_ (Smooth smooth_) | Eng’eni mumechi. (Fish in water.) |
| Kuka akhwenulila enje mabwibwi_ (Grandfather laughs early in the morning_) | Etwaya. (A cockerel.) |
| Khuyu khuyu paa | Embusi khu lukoba. (Goat in a homestead.) |
| Kindi kinywa kindi kiemile_ (Others drink others are standing_) | Chinjika che khafu. (A cow’s horns.) |
Pair the riddles above with the following proverbs and Luhya folktale. The wisdom in these proverbs will afford your little ones a richer understanding of the world of animals according to their culture.
- How enjusi, the fox, ruined its friendship with Kumukuyu, the tree.
- Khukololosia embulu – The conspiracy between our mothers and their sisters, our aunts, to straighten alligators.
- Meaning of Abanyala proverb: Namukhokhome kafucha esa – Why the gecko spat out the caterpillar.
- Meaning of Bukusu proverb: Nololelela nisyo engokho elia sokila ta! Why if you looked at what chicken eat, you’ll never eat chicken again.
- Meaning of Bukusu proverb: Lelo nyo kanyolile kakanyola embichi musipwoni – Wisdom from the plight of pig that was caught in a sweet potato plantation.
- How namukhokhome the gecko inspired lizard’s love for dancing – A Luhya folktale.
Bukusu riddles for kids on insects and crawling creatures.
From caterpillars that take nurse children, to insects that are considered to be the dogs of Wele (God), the Bukusu have a rich vocabulary for insects. The following riddles on insects will enrich kids Bukusu language vocabulary as well as explain the world around them.
| Bukusu riddle | |
|---|---|
| Sina sisiekesia basungu khuboa etayi_ (What motivated the white man to tie a tie_) | Litete. (Grasshopper.) |
| Kukhu khatiti khalunga chanokela_ (My tinny grandmother cooks intense vegetables_) | Chukunwe. (Ant.) |
| Ndi ne babana benge bakali mala barafu_ (I have many children and they are fierce_) | Enjukhi. (Bees.) |
| Njila okhu ngobolela okhu_ (I went using this route, I came back using this other route_) | Namwefunde. (Beetle.) |
| Tie tie musichakha_ (Tie tie in a thicket_) | Enda mwichune. (Lice in hair.) |
Pair these brain teasers for kids that test their knowledge on insects with the following proverbs for a wholesome appreciation of Bukusu traditional knowledge.
- Embwa ya Wele – Some insects are considered dogs belong to God; Which insects are these?
Bukusu riddles for kids teasing their knowledge on trees and plants
The following brain teasers will test and enrich the knowledge of kids on the world around them as regards to common and culturally significant trees and plants.
| Bukusu riddle | Answer to Bukusu riddle |
|---|---|
| Ndi ne chimuka change chawa bikutwa_ (I have my gourds with caps_) | Chifutu. (fruit of mufutu tree) |
| Ndi ne chingokho change chawa bituma_ (My chicken have no combs_) | Kimitua. (A canopy formed by the kumutua tree.) |
| Ndi nomukhana wange karoba busa ali pe!_ (I have very light skinned girl_) | Lisalila. (Fruit of kamasalila tree.) |
| Njile womwami omwana omutiti kakhesia ne omukhulu ta_ (I went to a ruler’s house and was greeted by a child but the adult did not_) | Lubembe. (A type of tall grass known as lubembe in Bukusu language.) |
Pair these kiminayi for kids with the following Bukusu proverbs and sayings. The proverbs are rich in traditional Bukusu knowledge that will holistically introduce those little ones to trees and plants around them.
- Meaning of Bukusu proverbs on sacred cows: Khutila lichabungwe esibuno.
Bukusu riddles for kids on food and cooking
Help kids find their way in the kitchen with the following fun Bukusu riddles best for kids and deepen their vocabulary on Luhya traditional food and kitchen setup.
| Bukusu riddle | Answer |
|---|---|
| Tie tie khakhina ne khefura_ (Tie tie – a type of bird – dances and removes her feathers_) | Chikhu mumayika. (Firewood in fire place.) |
| Babana base bataru, mulala narurakho sebalia ta_ (My three children when one is away they cannot eat_) | Kamayika. (The three stone fireplace for cooking.) |
| Sitotia chimoni mumwenywe_ (It keeps blinking eyes in your house_) | Sikhelekho. (The container with a perforated bottom used in making munyu mushelekha.) |
| Kukhu khabirire okhu khatotia chimoni_ (Grandmother passed here blinking eyes_) | Sikhelekho. See above. |
| Omwana wase akonelanga lubeka lulala_ (My child sleeps on one side always_) | Liondo. (Pumpkin fruit.) |
| Nasimbimbi mukha Biketi_ (The short woman, wife of Biketi_) | Litore nasirembe. (A type of banana with short fingers known as nasirmembe among the Bukusu.) |
| Wandayase ali ne sikele silala_ (My sibling has one leg_) | Lulwoba. (Mushroom.) |
| Ndi ne babana bange chikofio chifwanane_ (My children have identical hats_) | Bubwoba. (Mushrooms.) |
| Enju yange selikho kumuliango ta_ (My house has no door_) | Liki. (Egg.) |
| Kuka khakona munju ne bunwanwa enje_ (Grandfather sleeps inside the house, his beard is outside_) | Liyindi. (The maize cob.) |
Pair these riddles with the following Bukusu proverbs on food. The proverbs touch on Luhya food taboos to why what you eat affects how you think; and everything in between.
- Meet the king of meats: Why you couldn’t invite friends and family over for a feast of Buffalo meat; a Luhya taboo food.
- The meaning of the Bukusu proverb ‘sie munda sisuta sie khumurwe’ and why this proverb would have been Steve Jobs’s inspiration had he been Luhya.
Common Bukusu riddles for kids that gently introduce concepts in weather, astrology and cosmology
The following kimianyi are the perfect start to introducing children to concepts in weather, astrology and cosmology.
| Bukusu riddle | Answer to Bukusu riddle |
|---|---|
| Mayi akenda ne babana bewe silo_ (A Mother walks around with her children at night_) | Kumwesi ne ching’eniesi. (The moon and stars.) |
| Papa omurafu, mayi omuolu babana bakali_ (Harsh father, gentle mother, many children.) | Enyanga, kumwesi ne ching’eniesi. (The sun, moon and stars.) |
| Efula yase ebuchila ano Kisumu baulila_ (My cow bellows here and is heard in Kisumu_) | Efula nekukuma. (Thunder.) |
Pair these kimianyi with the following Bukusu proverbs and sayings to further introduce your child to Bukusu traditional knowledge and views on the cosmos.
- Meaning of the Bukusu proverb ‘omwami kafwile engwe yasalile‘ – Why sometimes a leopard in the wild gave birth on the death of a king.
Kiminayi for older kids
The following Bukusu riddles are best suited for older kids. Their content maybe a little complex for younger kids aged 8 and below. Moreover, these riddles are suited for this audience as they can be used as the perfect opening for deep discussions on aspects of Bukusu culture. Some of the complex aspects of Bukusu culture covered include: traditional circumcision, the Bukusu resistance and sex education.
| Bukusu riddle | Answer to Bukusu riddle |
|---|---|
| Pili pili manga_ (Hot pepper_) | Kumubano kwo mukhebi. (A traditional circumcisor’s knife.) |
| Kumwiti kuli ebulaya kwakhaya basungu khunina_ (There is a tree abroad that the white man has not managed to climb_) | Lifumo. (Spear.) |
| Ndi no mukhana wase koma chimbafu_ (My daughter has hard ribs_) | Kumuliango. (A door.) |
| Enju yange eli no musikari_ (My house has a cop_) | Likofulo. (A padlock.) |
| Ndi ne kumukoye sekuboa chikhu ta_ (My rope does not tie firewood_) | Engila. (A road.) |
| Njile banikhile ngobola banule_ (When I was going they had aired, I came back they had removed_) | Lume. (Morning dew.) |
| Omwana wase ali ne kiminwa kitaru_ (My child has three mouths_) | Esurwari. (Underpants.) |
| Ekhafu yange seyaya nokhakiboile kumukoye ta_ (My cow doesn’t graze unless you tie it with a rope_) | Buusi musindani. (Thread and needle.) |
| Timbiti wandaye wa maulili_ (Timbiti sibling to maulili_) | Omuminyi. (A deaf person.) |
| Ngendile ne papa alia nese nemile_ (I walked with dad, he ate as I was standing_) | Esimbo. (A walking cane.) |
| Nja khubona omulesi we silo_ (I am going to see the comforter of the night _) | Bulili. (Bedding.) |
| Omukhana wase ketila kumukhono musibuno_ (My girl is standing with her hand at the hip_) | Sikombe. (Cup.) |
| Sikharia omwami ta_ (That which does not respect the king_) | Kumunyikha. (A fall.) |
Bukusu riddles for adults
Some of the content in the following Bukusu riddles are rated PG. Please, enjoy responsibly.
| Bukusu riddle | Answer Bukusu riddle |
|---|---|
| Ndi ne bakhasi bange bali ne bisombo boosi_ (All my wives are pregnant_) | Kamaemba. (Sorghum.) |
| Omukhana ali ewenywe karunga chimbele_ (There is a girl in your home with a lot of breasts_) | Chikhanu. (Simsim.) |
| Kachenja musikapo_ (Kachenja in the basket_) | Omwea khusitanda. (New bride in bed.) |
| Piki piki khumunina_ (Motorcycle on a steep hill_) | Omukhasi we sisombo (A pregnant woman.) |
| Papa abirire khuno omurochake_ (Father passed here beaten_) | Sinywa. (A receptacle for drinking water or fluid.) |
| Tauti mwisamba_ (A person named Tauti in the farm_) | Enda musitweya. (Lice in a woman’s underwear.) |
| Ndi nekhafu yase ekenda nesala_ (My cow gives birth as it walks_) | Lisiebebe. (The pumpkin plant.) |
| Khasanduku mulamwa_ (‘Box-in-law’_) | Siburiti. A matchbox. |
| Mbirire eyi banjokelela_ (I passed there and was yelled at_) | Chisi khumafwi. (Flies on feces.) |
| Sikumba ne kumunyu_ (Bone and soup_) | Kafwi ne kamenyi (Urine and feces.) |
| Omwekesia akona ne basoma bayokela_ (Teacher is sleeping as students sleep_) | Chisi khu mafwi. (Houseflies on feces.) |
Hard Bukusu riddles
The following riddles are considered hard for various reasons. Some require higher critical thinking skills. Others have answers that are riddles by themselves. Have fun as you test your wits.
| Bukusu riddle | Answer to Bukusu riddle |
|---|---|
| Nakholo kema khu sili kalanga enjala ebuwanga_ (Nakholo stood on an anthill and called hunger from Wangaland_) | Chimbeba khulucho. (Rats in a cooking pot.) |
| Nakholo kema khusili kalola ebuwanga_ (Nakholo stood on an anthill facing Wangaland_) | Sisiole. (Bald head.) |
| Tondo wafwa tondo wakobola_ (Tondo died, tondo came back_) | Enombela ye lipwoni. (A shoot from a sweet potato.) |
| Mutiembu khu ndika_ (Mutiembu on a bicycle_) | Endemu mumechi. (Snake in water.) |
| Yima mwangelekha khunalane bunala_ (Stand the other side of the river we plaster each other_) | Busuma bwe bulo ne murere (Brown – finger millet or soghurm – ugali with murere.) |
| Nanina khu musala nekhela kumukongo_ (I climbed a tree and came down with my back_) | Liwa likhuuna weyela lilindi. (You use a thorn to remove a thorn from flesh.) |
| Ndolele khubolele_ (Look at me I tell you_) | Ebarua. (A letter.) |
| Omukhana ali ewenywe kekhala keakhilisia_ (There’s a girl in your house who keeps smearing herself.) | Enjisachilo. (Gourd with butter.) |
| Nachile embale nanyola omusungu aloma lusungu fwot fwot_ (I went to Mbale I met a white man speaking English ‘fwot fwot’_) | Mangichorie khwirofu. (Mangichorie on ripe banana.) |
| Sesela mumboka_ (Jog through weeds_) | Lubeko mwichune. (A razor in hair.) |
| Tope mwangelekha_ (Tope on the other side of the river_) | Ekhisi mumakanda. (Gazelle in beans.) |
| Kufufule kumotole_ (Playing with a ten cent coin in the dirt_) | Kumulilo mwibibi. (Fire in compost pit.) |
