A Bargain of Riddles

• A clever deal is not always a fair deal.
• Asking questions before you agree is a skill.

The riddle contest is invented. Any real trade or market history that appears later will be sourced and reviewed before publication.

A fictional market district. Not a depiction of any specific real market.

Setting in the series: Greater Accra — Cultural exploration area.

Medaase

Twi (Akan)

Thank you.

When the riddle was solved, Ananse grinned and said, “Medaase.”

“Nyansapɔ wɔsane no badwemma.”

An Akan proverb: “the knot of wisdom is untied by the wise” — hard problems reward patient thinking.

• Riddles and story-games are a familiar part of evening storytelling in many Ghanaian communities.
• Ananse stories are called Anansesɛm, which means “spider tales” in Twi.

• Storytellers and elders — Named contributors appear only with verified information and, where appropriate, their permission.

In the story: Kwaku Ananse, Tikenenkenen

Write a three-riddle bargain

1. Think of an everyday object and describe it without naming it.
2. Write three clues, from hardest to easiest.
3. Try your riddle on someone at home.

• Best for ages 6–10.
• Talking point: what makes a deal fair, and how do you ask before you agree?

More guidance on the For Grown-Ups page.

• Ghana — Encyclopaedia Britannica — General reference for Ghana's geography, peoples, languages and history.
• Ghana Museums & Monuments Board — National body responsible for Ghana's museums, forts and heritage sites.
• Ananse Adventures editorial review — Cultural and historical detail is checked with advisors and fluent speakers before an episode is published.