LASHTËSIA E ZHANRIT TË GJËEGJËZAVE SHQIPTARE
ANCIENTNESS OF ALBANIAN RIDDLE GENRE

Summary/Abstract: If we view genres of oral literature in the aspect of anciency, then certeanly riddles are among the most ancient ones. Riddles together with myths, fables, fairytales and proverbs are sett among the most ancient formulated and expanded modes of thought. There is a considerable number of antic sources that testify anciency and popularity that were enjoyed by riddles since antiquity. Among these sources could be distinguished Rig Veda of India, Old Testament, some Icelandic Sagas, Mesopotamian tableaus, where were discovered riddles, also Talmud and Kuran mention riddles and their usage, etc. Riddles are present in indigenous cultures of many nations. Regarding riddles as a segment of Albanaian oral composition, their anciency could be ascertained by its structure and the object in question in their content. Their antiquity today is testified not only by their presence and existence among Arbëreshs of Italy, Greece, and elsewhere, but also based on different data that speak about their mythological nature.

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