A Little Book of Filipino Riddles - The Original Classic Edition. Starr Frederick

You have not cleaned yourself; If you do not guess it

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       You are dirty.

       We have mentioned two references to Malay riddles. Of the eight given in Rizal's paper five have been given us by our informants. As Rizal's entire paper will be reprinted in another volume of this series we have not copied the other three. Sibree's paper is important for comparison, since it presents matter drawn from the uttermost point of Malaysia, Madagascar, which has been unaffected by Spanish influence. Sibree's article is translated from a little book by another missionary, the Rev. Louis Dahle. Dahle's book is entitled Specimens of Malayasy Folklore and its material is presented in Malagasy Page 19only. Mr. Sibree translates twenty of his riddles. They are in character and flavor like many of the Filipino riddles. As Sibree does not give the native text and I have not seen Dahle's book, I cannot know whether they are rhymed. They are all of the type of true riddles to be guessed, descriptions wherein one or

       two characteristics or striking features are presented, either directly or figuratively. Examination of this little series deepens an im-pression already made by study of our own collection, namely, that the true riddles in our series are largely original Filipino while the insoluble riddles, the catches, the plays on words, are those where foreign influence is most evident. Although Sibree's article is easily accessible, we quote a few of these Malagasy examples for comparison.

       "Cut and no wound seen?" "Water," is our number 231.

       "The mother says let us stand up, but the children say let us lie across?" "A ladder." and "At night they come without being fetched and by day they are lost, without being stolen?" "The stars." are quite in the style and spirit of Filipino riddles. Compare "Coarse rafia cloth outside and white robe inside?" "Manioc root" with the "Poor Page 20outside; rich within," "Langca" of the Ilocano.

       The order of presentation of these riddles has been a considerable problem. To arrange them rigidly in Petsch's order of development might have been fairly satisfactory but would have rendered the finding of any desired riddle difficult. We have struck out a crude arrangement in alphabetical order of the English answers, with subdivisions under some general headings. The arrangement is not scientific nor completely developed, but it will perhaps work fairly well in practice. The original text is first given for riddle and answer; the English translation of both follows; then are given such explanation and comment as are necessary. When a riddle occurs in different languages, the text of the question is given in one, but the fact of its occurrence in others is indicated.

       We are indebted to many for assistance. The list is too long for individual acknowledgment. To our original Ilocano helpers this little book is dedicated. To Messrs. George T. Shoens, Francisco A. Santos (Calumpit), Rufino Santos (Arayat) and Conrado Benitez (Pag-sanghan), we are so deeply indebted that their names must be mentioned. To Page 21school boys in Agoo, San Fernando (Union), Malolos, Manila and Tayug, we owe many thanks. Would that the publication of this imperfect collection might lead to their greater interest in a neglected section of their folklore. Some Malay worker ought to perfect and complete the work here begun.

       This volume is the first number of a series of little books which the undersigned plans to bring out under the general title of Philip-pine Studies. Each number will treat of a distinct and separate subject; each will be independent. The extent to which the series will be developed, will depend upon the reception given to it and the degree in which it appears to respond to a real need. Two numbers at any rate are already arranged and the second should appear within a year.

       Frederick Starr. September, 1909. Page 22

       Bibliography of Works Mentioned in the Introduction

       Bernheisel, K. Korean Conundrums. Korean Review. 1905, pp. 81-86.

       Bloomfield, M. Religion of the Veda, pp. 215-218. (Sanskrit Riddles.) Journal American Oriental Society, Vol. X, p. 172. Dahle, L. Specimens of Malagasy FolkLore. Atananarivo, 1877, 8vo, pp. 457.

       Del pequeno Adivinadorcito. Mexico. Five chap-books, 16mo each, 16 pp. Demofilo. Colleccion de enigmas y adivinanzas. Sevilla, 1880. 8vo, pp. 495. Friedreich, J. B. Geschichte des Ratsels. Dresden, 1860. 8vo, pp. viii, 248.

       Fuhrer, A. Sanskritische Ratsel. Zeitschrift der Deutsch. Morganlander Gesel. 1885. pp. 99-102.

       Haug. Vedische Ratselfragen und Ratselspruche. Trans. Munich Academy, 1875.

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       Krauss, F. S. Allegemeine Methodik d. Volkskunde 1891-97, p. 112. Page 23

       Korean Conundrums. Korean Review. Seoul; 1906. pp. 59-60. Lakshminatha upasaru. Collection of Riddles. Patna, 1888. 32mo, pp. 32. Ludwig. Der Rig Veda. iii. pp. 390.

       Mitra. Sarat Chandra. Riddles current in Bihar. Journal Asiatic Society, 1901, 8vo, pp. 33-58. Petsch, R. Studien uber das Volksratsel. Berlin. 1898, 8vo, pp. 139.

       Phillott, D. C. Persian Riddles. Calcutta, 1906. Journal Asiatic Society of Bengal, pp. 86-94. Rizal, J. Specimens of Tagal FolkLore. London, 1889, Trubner's Record, pp. 45-46.

       Sibree, Jr., J. The Oratory, Songs, Legends and Folk-Tales of the Malagasy. London, 1883, FolkLore Journal, pp. 38-40. Two Gypsy Riddles. Journal Gypsy FolkLore Society, 1907, pp. 92.

       Wagner, P. Some Kolarian Riddles. Calcutta, 1904. Journal Asiatic Society of Bengal, pp. 62-79.

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       Filipino Riddles

       Animals: mammals.

       1

       Ania iti pinarsua iti Dios a balin suec a maturog?

       (Iloc.) Panniqui

       What thing that God made sleeps with its head down? Bat

       2

       Pantas ca man, at marunong bumasa at sumulat, aling ibon dito sa mundo ang lumilipad ay sumususo ang anak?

       (Tag.) Kabag

       Although you are wise and know how to read and write, which bird in this world flies and yet suckles its young?

       Bat

       3

       Uppat iti adiguina, maysa iti baotna, dua iti paypayna, dua iti boneng.

       (Iloc.) Carabao

       Four posts, one whip, two fans, and two bolos. Carabao Page 25

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       Apat na tukod langit at isang pang hagupit.