Hmong Riddles

[Mahikokatoru]

Like the title says, the following are Hmong riddles for you to solve. You don't have to know how to read Hmong to answer these riddles, but it would be a big help to you solving them. 3nodding

emotion_eyebrow There is a rough English translation of each... but it's better if you are able to read Hmong RPA (romanized popular alphabet).

Please do not cheat by asking a Hmong elder. It's more fun if you answer it yourself. wink

here we go....


1) Tim tsua tim tsua, dhia plaw txij dua. Yog dab tsi ?
(There are two cavern holes, and it goes up to your waist. What is it?)

2) Tsis zas txawj liab, tsis hliav txawj ntse. Yog dab tsi ?
(No need to dye it for it is red, no need to sharpen it for it is sharp. What is it?)

3) Tuaj deb ntsia zoo li tsob xyoob, mus txog yog txiv Nuj Sis Loob. Yog dab tsi ?
(From far away it is a grove of bamboo; up close, it is Nuj Sis Loob. What is it?)
To answer this riddle, you would need to know who Nuj Sis Loob is.

4) Dub li hlau, nplua li ntses, muab tsis tau luag tes. Yog dab tsi?
(Dark like a farming hoe, slippery like fish, can't catch it. What is it?)

5) Noj ntawm ncauj, tswm ntawm tav. Yog dab tsi?
(Eat through the mouth, comes out the side. What is it?)
This riddle has two possible answers. Will need to know Hmong culture to answer.  

[Mahikokatoru]

It's been a week now, so I've decided to post the answers below.

1) Tim tsua tim tsua, dhia plaw txij dua. Yog dab tsi ?
(There are two cavern holes, and it goes up to your waist. What is it?)

pants

2) Tsis zas txawj liab, tsis hliav txawj ntse. Yog dab tsi ?
(No need to dye it for it is red, no need to sharpen it for it is sharp. What is it?)

pepper

3) Tuaj deb ntsia zoo li tsob xyoob, mus txog yog txiv Nuj Sis Loob. Yog dab tsi ?
(From far away it is a grove of bamboo; up close, it is Nuj Sis Loob. What is it?)
To answer this riddle, you would need to know who Nuj Sis Loob is.

the Hmong reed instrument Qeej

4) Dub li hlau, nplua li ntses, muab tsis tau luag tes. Yog dab tsi?
(Dark like a farming hoe, slippery like fish, can't catch it. What is it?)

a bee or wasp

5) Noj ntawm ncauj, tswm ntawm tav. Yog dab tsi?
(Eat through the mouth, comes out the side. What is it?)
This riddle has two possible answers. Will need to know Hmong culture to answer.

Answer 1: Hmong smoking/tobacco pipe
Answer 2: Hmong rice grinder lub zom zeb  

[Swat Team Leader]

I wish I can ask one of my OG's (Old Gramps) but they're all in California. D:  

[Mahikokatoru]

Swat Team Leader

I wish I can ask one of my OG's (Old Gramps) but they're all in California. D:

you can ask your parents or aunts/uncles! 3nodding they probably know.  

[Nana Shinu Ai]

I have to say it long format of breaking down the words. Thanks. I am not hmong just Japanese and Chinese.