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Igbo Oral Literature in a Digital Age: An Appraisal of 
IgboRiddles and Tongue Twisters

Dr. Nkoli Mercy Nnyigide
Department of Igbo, African and   

Communication Studies 
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

nm.nnyigide@unizik.edu.ng

Abstract
Igbo oral literature is a type of literature that is rendered orally and 
appreciated aurally. This study examines the Igbo riddles and 
tongue twisters. These are forms of Igbo oral literature which 
embody rich Igbo values. They are regarded as agwụgwa and 
okwuntabirerespectively. Many Igbo people have not shown 
reasonable interest in showcasing and projecting the Igbo riddles 
and tongue twisters in this digital era. The only visible effort has 
been the use of modern media such as radio and television in 
showcasing these Igbo oral genres unlike the use of social media. 
Previous studies have equally shown that these forms of Igbo oral 
literature have not received desired scholarly attention in spite of 
the rich Igbo values embodied in them. Unfortunately, some Igbo 
people, especially the youths and children do not appreciate and 
utilise the Igbo values and linguistic features embodied in these 
oral genres. Therefore, this study examines these aspects of the 
Igbo oral literature so as to determine the extent they have thriven 
in this digital era and also to identify measures that would be 
employed to bring them to limelight for the exploration and 
consumption of the younger generation. However, the study 
selects data from oral interview and relevant literatures. It adopts 
literary theory of functionalism and descriptive approach in 
assessing these literary genres. It is hoped that the present study 
will encourage the Igbo scholars, youths and children to employ 
various forms of the social media in projecting and preserving the 
Igbo riddles and tongue twisters in this digital age.

which the dialogue is constructed, and how each character is 
drawn with careful attention to each detail. Adichie documents the 
Nigerian Biafran war, but the story revolves around how this 
particular time in history was experienced by the characters. 
Adichie uses the different characters to demonstrate that there are 
as many versions of reality as there are people to interpret it; she 
uses her novel to show these different dimensions of one and the 
same period in time. FurtheAdichie combines history and 
literature to keep the past in the present, to keep it alive, and also to 
make the historical and political history felt.

 Works Cited 
Achebe, Chinua. Morning Yet on Creation Day. HEB, 1975.
Adichie, Chimamanda. Half of a Yellow Sun. Farafina, 2006.
Alaba-Isama, Godwin.The Tragedy of Victory: On the Spot 

Account of the Nigerian-Biafra War in the Atlantic Theatre. 
Spectrum Books, 2013.

Amuta, Chidi. “The Nigerian Civil War and the Evolution of 
Nigerian Literature”.Canadian Journal of African Studies, 
vol 17, no 1, 1983, pp. 85-89.

Brady, Patrick. Memory and History as Fiction: An Archetypal 
Approach to the Historical Novel. New Paradigm Press, 
1983.

Carr, Edward. What is History? Penguin, 1981.
Collingwood, Christopher. The idea of History.Oxford 

University Press, 1946.
De groot, Jerome. The Historical Novel.Routldge, 2010.
Emenyonu, Ernest. War in African Literature Today.HEBN, 

2008.
Okigbo, Christopher. Labyrinths.Heinemann, 1971.
Orie, Chibueze Prince. The Curio in Phenomenality and 

Competence.Samdrew, 2011.

COOU JOFOCUS: COOU Journal of Folklore and Cultural Studies, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2022 Dr. Nkoli Mercy Nnyigide: Igbo Oral Literature in a Digital Age: An Appraisal of Igbo 

               Riddles and Tongue Twisters

http://nm.nnyigide@unizik.edu.ng


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 Obviously, the Igbo oral literature should blend and 
embrace the current technological trend. Various technological 
devices should be the tools for the projection and the preservation 
of the Igbo oral forms. Hence, this present study which appraises 
the Igbo riddles and tongue twisters in order to identify measures 
for their enhancement and projection in this digital age. There are 
various forms of the Igbo oral literature but this study focuses on 
Igbo riddles and tongue twisters because of the immense role they 
played and would continue to play in transferring the Igbo values, 
norms, ethics and worldview to the younger generation. 

Conceptual Framework
 The major concepts prominent in this study would be 
examined based on the context of this study. These concepts are: 
Igbo oral literature, Igbo riddles, Igbo tongue twisters and digital 
age. 

Igbo Oral Literature
 As the name implies, it is a type of Igbo literature that is not 
written but it is in oral form. It embodies the Igbo values, beliefs, 
thoughts, norms, ethics and worldview. Nwadike (1992, 2003) 
affirms that the Igbo oral literature is not written. It is transferred 
from one generation to another. Besides, Okoh, (2008) observes, 
“In contrast to the written form, oral literature is spoken, sung, 
intoned, recited, or chanted, depending on the context” (p.72). 
This shows that there are various contexts for presentation of the 
oral literature unlike the written literature. Also, Okoh adds that 
oral literature is oral and appreciated aurally. In addition, 
Ikwubuzo (2008) believes that Oral literature is a living and 
dynamic art which has survived successive generations. In 
traditional Igbo society, for instance, the performance of oral 
literature permeates the social, religious, cultural, political or 
informal occasions.

COOU JOFOCUS: COOU Journal of Folklore and Cultural Studies, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2022

Keywords: Oral literature,  Riddles, Tongue Twisters, 
Functionalism, Literary Genre

Introduction
 Igbo oral literature is an aspect of Igbo oral literature. As 
the name implies, it is the type of literature that is not written but it 
is usually presented in oral form as it was inherited from the 
forefathers. It does not have a known author. Rather, it is 
communally owned by the members of the society. Igbo oral 
literature is regarded as the origin of Igbo literature. This explains 
why many Igbo literary scholars hold the view that Igbo written 
literature metamorphosed from the Igbo oral literature. Even 
though that the authors of the Igbo literature are lost in history, it is 
pertinent to affirm here that they made frantic efforts in 
articulating various Igbo values and aesthetics of the Igbo 
language into the oral literature, specifically the Igbo riddles and 
tongue twisters. This is among the reasons why some literary 
scholars observed that many Igbo literary writers borrow 
extensively from oral literature which is regarded as the model for 
the written literature.

 In the early Igbo society, various forms of the Igbo oral 
literature played major role in enhancing communal living among 
the Igbo race. Unlike the situation in the early Igbo era, the Igbo 
oral literature is faced with survival challenge in this digital age. 
Amazingly, unlike the owners and custodians of these oral genres, 
it appears that some non-Igbo speakers appreciate, utilise and 
appreciate these Igbo oral genres through various technological 
devices more than the Igbo. Some Igbo scholars like Nwadike 
(2003), Maduka (2007), Ikwubuzo (2008), Nwokoye (2018), 
among others, lament that globalization, modern technology and 
negative attitude of some Igbo people have contributed to the 
extinction of some aspects of the Igbo oral genre. But this study 
posits that it ought not to be so. However, Nnyigide (2018) 
advocates that different forms of Igbo oral literature should be 

strevitalised to align with the technological innovations of the 21  
century. 

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               Riddles and Tongue Twisters



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functionalism in analysing the primary data. This is a literary 
approach that examines the relevance of literature to the society. It 
emphasises the functional attribute of literature to the society. In 
other words, it focuses on the functions performed in the society 
by literature. Ikeokwu, (2007) observes that the precepts of 
functionalism are based on the concepts of 'social commitment' 
which is an aspect of social criticism that is used to buttress the 
point that literature is and ought to be relevant to the society that 
has given birth to it and nurtures it. Besides, Mbah and Mbah, 
(2007) observe that functionalism focuses on the practical role of 
oral literature. Functionalism is more suitable in this study 
because it x-rays the functions and impacts of the Igbo riddles and 
tongue twisters on the audience and the society that own them.

Why the Igbo Riddles and Tongue Twisters? - Their 
Functions
 One may wonder and ask why this study has focused on 
the Igbo riddles and tongue twisters. The reason for focusing on 
the Igbo riddles and tongue twisters in this study cannot be 
overemphasized. Tongue twister and riddles perform numerous 
functions in the society especially in the language teaching and 
learning of children. They were originally created for fun. Early 
Igbo elders and parents employed them in training and 
transferring of their values and language skill to their children. 
Ogundipe as cited in Emenanjo (2007) observes that riddles and 
tongue twisters perform outstanding functions in the society. They 
are vehicles for fun and amusement. According to him, “Like 
riddles, tongue twisters can be swapped before a tale telling 
session to warm up the audience. They are not limited to any 
specific time to day or night… they are used for teaching elocution 
and for the dramatization and enhancement of verbal skill” (pp. 7-
8).

 Many literary scholars concur that tongue twisters have 
entertaining and therapeutic value. Emenanjo (2007) affirms thus: 
“… they are also employed as therapeutic aids for persons with 

COOU JOFOCUS: COOU Journal of Folklore and Cultural Studies, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2022

Igbo Riddles
 The Igbo riddle is a form of Igbo oral literature. In the early 
Igbo society, it was one of the prominent Igbo oral genres usually 
presented during the folktale sessions and other occasions where 
children are gathered. It is presented in two parts; the question and 
answer. Riddles have special features. According to Okoh, (2008), 
“Riddle, as well as oral poetry in general, … is characterised by a 
highly imaginative and symbolic mode of expression, rather than 
the plain, ordinary language of everyday discourse” (p. 24). From 
Okoh's observation, it could be seen that the riddle has creative 
and imaginative attributes. Besides, Emenanjo, (2007) observes 
that the riddle is, perhaps, the only genre of oral literature, which 
involves active participation, since by its nature, it involves two 
mutually complementary parts: the Question/Proposition and the 
Answer this observation is correct because during the presentation 
of the riddles, the presenter and the audience are usually active. 
This shows that riddle does not entertain any dull moment. 

Igbo Tongue Twisters
 The Igbo tongue twister is a minor genre of the Igbo oral 
literature. It is a combination of words that are alliterative in 
nature which are usually difficult to articulate. It has aesthetic 
features but rarely express meaning. Emenanjo, (2007) confirms 
this thus: “The only oral genre, which has no 'moral' or 'inner' 
message. It is usually a well-made sentence, which is occasionally 
and accidentally meaningful” (p.6).

Digital Age
 This is known as the information age. According to IGI 

stGlobal (2022), it is a historic period in the 21  century that is 
charactrised by rapid change from traditional industry to an 
economy based on information technology. can be described as  It 
a time frame in history that the use of digital technology became 
prevalent and of common use throughout the world. 

Theoretical Framework
 As stated above, this study adopts the literary theory called 

Dr. Nkoli Mercy Nnyigide: Igbo Oral Literature in a Digital Age: An Appraisal of Igbo 

               Riddles and Tongue Twisters



167 168

these aspects of Igbo oral genres have not received the scholarly 
attention they deserve in this digital age. Hence, the need for the 
present study.

Data Presentation and Data Analysis
Examples of Igbo Riddles 
Example 1
Original:

Q: Gwa mgwa m gwa m; gwa motinwatan'ihunneya?
A: Agụụ

English:
 Q: Tell me tell me tell me; tell me that which beats a 
child in the presence of his mother?
 A: Hunger

 Among the Igbo, it is believed that the primary role of a 
mother is to provide food for her children just like the mother hen. 
She also protects and shields their children jealously from the 
enemy. Ordinarily, no sane mother would allow anyone to beat or 
hurt her child in her presence. From the above riddle, the only 
thing that can beat a child before her is hunger because it cannot be 
seen and she does not have control over it. The above riddle 
presents loving and caring nature of mothers. The analysis of this 
riddle from the literary theory of functionalism reveals that the 
loving, caring and selfless attributes of a mother can be inculcated 
in the lives of the Igbo female children in particular and male 
children in general which they would continue to transfer to their 
generation for harmony in the society. 

Example 2
  Original:
Q: Gwa m, gwa m gwa m; gwa m ihemmirisaraahụmmayaarụọ?
A: Nnu
English:
Q: Tell me tell me tell me; tell me that, which is bathed in water and 
the beauty fades away?

COOU JOFOCUS: COOU Journal of Folklore and Cultural Studies, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2022

minor speech defects. They also serve as a psychological release 
for the tension of social norm” (p.8).Obviously, the aspects of 
entertainment and aesthetics are major considerations in 
literature. Both riddles and tongue twisters pay wonderful 
attention to these aspects. Okoh, (2008) observe that performers 
and audience derive great pleasure and excitement from riddles 
and tongue twisters. 

Scholarly contribution on Igbo Riddles and Tongue Twisters       
 Here, effort would be made to showcase the extent to 
which some scholars have researched on the Igbo riddles and 
tongue twisters. This is to enable the researcher to identify the gap 
in the present study. Emenanjo(2007), in his paper titled, “Two 
Minor Genres of Igbo Oral Literature: Tongue Twisters and 
Riddles” observes the riddle is the only genre of oral literature that 
involves active participation of audience. He went further to 
categorise the Igbo riddles into two: The single riddles and the 
chain riddles. Besides, Ojukwu and Igwe (2012), in their article 
titled, “Igbo Tongue-Twisters: A Linguistic Perspective'' explored 
some linguistic features in Igbo tongue twisters.  Ozioko (2021) in 
her work titled, “Aesthetic Feature and Social Relevance of Igbo 
Tongue Twisters” examined the aesthetic features in Igbo tongue 
twisters. She observed that the Igbo tongue twisters are 
therapeutic in nature    among others. Also, Mbah and Mbah 
(2007) in their book titled, Azụonye: Lectures on Igbo Literature 
and Stylistics argue that Ruth Finnegan has erroneously described 
riddles as a genre that belongs exclusively to children. According 
to them, Igbo tradition, riddles are not confined to children. 
Members of secret societies as well as masquerade societies use 
riddles in serious initiation rituals. In addition, Ikwubuzo (2008) 
in his work titled, “Igbo Oral Literature and the Igbo Youths 
Today: What Literary Legacy for Posterity” observe that a child 
can through his participation in riddle game imbibe some cultural 
norms and values of his society which are conveyed in the riddles.  
In spite of these few research efforts of these scholars, there is still 
dearth of scholarly works on Igbo riddles and tongue twisters as 
could be seen in the scholarly contribution above. It is obvious that 

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               Riddles and Tongue Twisters



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Examples of Igbo Tongue Twisters 
From the examples below, it could be seen that the major 

goal of the Igbo tongue twisters is the projection of alliteration 
and assonance.

Example 1
 Original 

UkochukwuOkechukwukwuluokwuChukwun'uloChukwu di 
naArochukwu

English 
Reverend Okechukwu preached a sermon at the church in 
Arochukwu

From the above example, it could be seen that the alliteration of 
k, ch and kwuare projected.

Example 2
Original 

Papa Peter kwatara pawpaw kwanye Papa Paul. Papa Paul 
kwata pawpaw kwanye Papa Peter.

English
Peter's father plucked pawpaw and gives it to Paul's father. 
Paul's father plucks pawpaw and gives it to Peter's father.
The example above showcases the alliteration of p.

Example 3
 Original 

Nwanyịna-akwaakwa, ị na-
akwaakwanaọkụkọyiliakwanenuakwa ị 
kwalakwadịn'enuakwa?

English 
Lady Tailor, are you crying because the hen laid an egg on 
the dress you made that is lying on the bed? 
The above example shows the assonance a and alliteration 
of kw.

COOU JOFOCUS: COOU Journal of Folklore and Cultural Studies, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2022

A: Salt

The above riddle creates a special mental picture in the minds 
of the audience and readers. Once salt is mentioned, the mental 
picture of its white colour automatically appears in the minds of 
the listeners. Unlike the black colour, anything that is white in 
colour is expected to be beautiful and attractive. On the other 
hand, it is universally known that water is used for bathing. It is 
also a known fact that bathing makes one to look beautiful. But 
from the analysis of the above riddle functionalist perspective, it 
could be seen that the white colour and the beauty of the salt 
usually fades away as soon as it is put in water or whenever water 
touches it. The lesson that the audience and readers could deduce 
from this riddle is that beauty fades away and that nothing is 
permanent. 

Example 3
 Original:
Q: Gwa m, gwa m gwa m; gwa m ihekuurummirilagoroelu
A: AkịBekee
Q: Tell me tell me tell me; tell me that which collected water and 
went up
A: Coconut

       The above riddle is rendered with the intention of sharpening 
the critical thinking and reasoning of the children, audience and 
readers. Among various fruits the Igbo have, it is only the coconut 
that contains waters which usually tasty. So, whenever this riddle 
is posed, the minds of the children, audience and readers that have 
seen coconut before and the water that is contained in it do not 
hesitate to give the answer. The analysis of this riddle from 
functionalist lense reveals that any person that does not know the 
fruit that is called coconut will not be able to provide the answer to 
the riddle. However, this riddle shows that there is need for the 
Igbo children to be critical and logical in their thinking so as to 
understand and address the issues in their environment very well.

Dr. Nkoli Mercy Nnyigide: Igbo Oral Literature in a Digital Age: An Appraisal of Igbo 

               Riddles and Tongue Twisters



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facilities in projecting, preserving and sustaining these rich Igbo 
oral genres for posterity.  

References
Emenanjo, E. N. (2007). “Two minor genres of Igbo oral   

literature: Tongue twisters and riddles.” Journal of Igbo 
Studies, vol. 2, 2007. pp. 6-13.

Mbah, B. M. & Mbah, E. E. (2007). Azụonye: Lectures on Igbo 
literature and stylistics. University of Nigeria Press.

IGI  Globa l  (2022) ,  “Dig i t a l  age”  h t t p s : / / w w w. i g i -
global.com/dictionary/resource-sharing/7562, accessed, 
August, 2022. 

Ikeokwu, E. S.  (2007). “Functionalism and the pedagogy of Igbo 
folktales.” Journal of Igbo Studies, vol. 2, 2007. pp. 21-26. 

Ikwubuzo, I. (2008). “Igbo oral literature and the Igbo youths 
today: What literary legacy for posterity.” In Udezuluigbo: A 
festschrift in honour of Sam Uzochukwu  Ikwubuzo,
 I., Ohiri-Aniche, C. &Nnabuihe, C. (Eds.), Green Olive.

Nnyigide, N.M.  &Ikwubuzo, I. (2018). “Revitalising Igbo 
aditional children's games in the age of globalisation.” A 

thconference paper presented at the 12  International
Conference of International Society for the oral literatures of 
Africa, held at the University of Ibadan, July 10-12, 2018.

Nwadike, I. U. (1992). Ntọalaagụmagu. Ifunanya Publishers.
... (2003). Agụmagụodịnala Igbo (Igbo oral literature). 
Africana First Publishers.

Nwokoye, A. N. (2018). “Adverse effects of globalisation on 
traditional performance: A study of Igbo moonlight games.” 

th
A conference paper presented at the 12
International conference of international society for the oral 
literatures of Africa, held at the University of Ibadan, July 10-
12, 2018. 

Ojukwu, O. &Igwe, A. (2021). “Igbo tongue twisters: A linguistics 
perspective." Global Academic Group:
https://www.globalacademicgroup.com/journals/nard/Obed%20
Ojukwu%20and%20Annestacia%20Igwe.pdf, accessed: 
August, 2021.

COOU JOFOCUS: COOU Journal of Folklore and Cultural Studies, Vol. 2, No. 1, 2022

Measures to Project the Igbo Riddles and Tongue Twisters in 
this Digital Era

The following are the measures that could be adopted in 
projecting the Igbo riddles and tongue twisters in this digital 
era:

§ Documentation of some Igbo riddles and tongue twisters 
that are not yet documented and recorded. 

§ Re-introduction of Igbo riddles and tongue twisters in 
school curriculum especially at nursery and primary 
levels.

§ Annotation of various Igbo riddles and tongue twisters
§ Deployment of ICT facilities in transferring the Igbo 

riddles and tongue twisters to the youths and children.
§ Consistent sharing of Igbo riddles and tongue twisters 

on various modern and social media platforms, among 
other measures. 

Findings and Conclusion
As stated earlier, this study adopted the literary theory of 

functionalism in analysing the selected riddles from functionalist 
perspective. From the analysis, this study reveals that various Igbo 
cultural values and worldviews are embedded in Igbo riddles. 
Besides, it shows that the Igbo riddles have the capacity to 
inculcate Igbo values, virtues, wisdom, ethics, among others in the 
lives of the Igbo youths and children thereby bringing positive 
change in the lives of members of the society which enhances 
social harmony. 

On the part of the examined Igbo tongue twisters, the analysis 
shows that they project alliteration and assonance which could be 
employed as therapeutic measure on children and other members 
of the society that are faced with speech problems. Therefore, in 
this digital and information age, it behooves the Igbo scholars, 
researchers, students, youths in particular and Igbo people in 
general to employ all the modern technological devices and digital 

Dr. Nkoli Mercy Nnyigide: Igbo Oral Literature in a Digital Age: An Appraisal of Igbo 

               Riddles and Tongue Twisters

https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/resource-sharing/7562
https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/resource-sharing/7562
https://www.globalacademicgroup.com/journals/nard/Obed%20Ojukwu%20and%20Annestacia%20Igwe.pdf
https://www.globalacademicgroup.com/journals/nard/Obed%20Ojukwu%20and%20Annestacia%20Igwe.pdf


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Okoh, N. (2008). Preface to oral literature. Africana First 
Publishers.

Ozioko, C. J. (2021). “Aesthetic feature and social relevance of 
Igbo tongue twisters.” MAthesis, University of Nigeria, 
Nsukka.


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