Cultural Reflections in Urdu Riddles: A Stylistic Analysis

Abstract

This paper explores the cultural manifestations within Urdu riddles by employing a qualitative and descriptive research approach. Drawing data from diverse sources including the 'Jagmag Mooti' magazine, the book 'Paheliyon ki Dunia', and online platforms, the study randomly selected 100 Urdu riddles. These riddles were transcribed by using the International Phonetic Association (IPA) guidelines. The stylistics analysis was carried out in order explore the intricate nuances of language, symbolism, and cultural expressions embedded within these riddles by following the stylistic analysis levels outlined by Alabi (2007). The riddles were categorized into five major groups based on their functions in representing the culture of the Urdu-speaking community. The analysis revealed that Urdu riddles play a significant role in reflecting various aspects of the user’s culture, including traditional foods, death rituals, religious practices, outdoor games, and essential household items. Examples such as 'Jharu' (broom), 'Gulab Jaman' (a sweet dish), 'Dua' (prayer), 'Janaza' (funeral), 'Gulli Danda' (a traditional game) were identified as subjects that showcase the cultural richness embedded in Urdu riddles. Consequently, this study asserts that Urdu riddles serves as a valuable source for gaining insights into the social, cultural, religious and traditional dimensions of the Urdu-speaking society.

Keywords: Urdu Riddles, Lexico-Syntactic Patterns, Morphological patterns, Phonological Patterns, Culture.