Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa that is known for its vibrant culture, intricate crafts, and natural beauty. Though it may not be a common topic for riddles, Burkina Faso’s unique attributes make it a fascinating subject. Here are 56 riddles about Burkina Faso, covering geography, culture, people, foods, animals, and more.
Geography Riddles
Test your knowledge of Burkina Faso’s landscape and location with these geography riddles:
1. I share borders with 6 different countries, including Mali, Niger, and Ghana. What country am I?
Answer: Burkina Faso
2. I am the capital city of Burkina Faso, located in the center of the country. I am the largest city and cultural hub, known for my lively markets. What city am I?
Answer: Ouagadougou
3. I am Burkina Faso’s most important river, originating in Mali and flowing to Ghana. Many towns are located along my banks. What river am I?
Answer: Mouhoun River
4. Burkina Faso has no access to me, making trade more challenging. However, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire border me. What major geographic feature am I?
Answer: Atlantic Ocean
5. Burkina Faso has two major seasons – a long dry season dominated by me, and a short rainy season with more precipitation. What season am I?
Answer: Harmattan (dry season)
6. Burkina Faso’s terrain consists mainly of my wide, flat expanses, which are prone to frequent droughts. Cattle herding is common on me. What landform am I?
Answer: Savanna
7. I am the highest point of Burkina Faso, located in the southwest near the border with Mali. What peak am I?
Answer: Tena Kourou
Culture Riddles
Learn about Burkina Faso’s ethnic groups and traditions with these cultural riddles:
8. We are the largest ethnic group in Burkina Faso, known for our spiritual masks and ancestral shrines. Who are we?
Answer: Mossi people
9. I am Burkina Faso’s main language, part of the Gur branch of languages. I am spoken by the Mossi people. What language am I?
Answer: Moré
10. We are handwoven cotton fabrics with distinctive geometric designs, worn by people throughout Burkina Faso and West Africa. What are we?
Answer: Faso dan fani
11. I am a Burkina Faso coming-of-age ritual for young men, involving dances, songs, and customs. I mark the transition to adulthood. What am I?
Answer: Dodo ceremony/dance
12. I am a Burkina Faso festival celebrating ancestors by wearing masks and dancing. I happen every two years in Dablo. What festival am I?
Answer: Dablo Festival of Masks
13. We are one of the most important Burkina Faso instruments, crafted from gourds covered with beads and cowrie shells. What are we?
Answer: Riti/Calabash gourd instruments
14. I am Burkina Faso’s largest film festival, held yearly in Ouagadougou since 1969. I celebrate African cinema from across the continent. What festival am I?
Answer: FESPACO (Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou)
People Riddles
Learn about some notable people from Burkina Faso with these riddles:
15. I was the first president of Burkina Faso, serving from 1983 to 1987 after leading a coup. My revolutionary policies were controversial. Who am I?
Answer: Thomas Sankara
16. I was president of Burkina Faso from 1987 to 2014. I took power after the assassination of my predecessor. Who am I?
Answer: Blaise Compaoré
17. I am a Burkinabé long-distance runner who won Olympic medals in 2012 and 2016. I was the first Burkina Faso athlete to win an Olympic medal. Who am I?
Answer: Zango Bibata
18. I am a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Burkina Faso, known as “Africa’s greatest living pop star.” My music blends traditional Burkinabé sounds with Afro-pop. Who am I?
Answer: Salif Keita
19. I was a revolutionary Burkina Faso leader and activist for women’s rights. I served in Thomas Sankara’s government before being assassinated in 1987. Who am I?
Answer: Sankara Mariam
20. I am a Burkinabé author who was awarded the prestigious Prix des cinq continents de la francophonie prize in 2018. My pen name means “writing griot.” Who am I?
Answer: Nazi Boni
Food Riddles
Try these riddles about popular Burkinabé cuisine:
21. I am a thick millet or corn flour porridge, often served for breakfast in Burkina Faso. What am I?
Answer: Tô
22. We are spicy chicken or meat skewers, grilled over a flame and served with a piquant peanut sauce. What are we?
Answer: Brochettes
23. I am a common Burkina Faso street food consisting of grilled meat served in a bun or bread. What am I?
Answer: Sandwich de viande
24. We are small, fried doughnuts made from peanuts or black-eyed peas popular in Burkina Faso. What are we?
Answer: Beignets
25. I am a cooling Burkina Faso beverage made from milk, millet flour, and sugar. What am I?
Answer: Zoom koom
26. We are alcoholic drinks made from fermented sorghum or millet, popular in Burkina Faso. Red and white varieties of us exist. What are we?
Answer: Dolo/sorghum beer
27. I am a savory iron pot chicken and vegetable stew traditionally served with white rice or tô. What dish am I?
Answer: Poulet bassé
Animal Riddles
Test your knowledge of Burkina Faso’s wildlife with these animal riddles:
28. I am a large African antelope with curved horns, found in Burkina Faso’s savanna and grasslands. What am I?
Answer: Hartebeest
29. I am one of the most common snake species found in Burkina Faso, known for my potent venom. What snake am I?
Answer: Puff adder
30. I am a small Burkinabé rodent that resembles a rabbit but is more closely related to the porcupine. What am I?
Answer: Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus)
31. I am Burkina Faso’s largest land mammal, grey or brown in color and social in nature. Lions and hyenas are among my predators. What am I?
Answer: African elephant
32. I am a primate species found in the forests of southwestern Burkina Faso. I have a black face and limbs contrasting with my white whiskers and belly. What am I?
Answer: Western red colobus
33. I am a small, slim bird common in Burkina Faso and recognizable by my red-orange beak. I am the national bird of Senegal. What am I?
Answer: Red-billed hornbill
History Riddles
Learn about Burkina Faso’s past with these history riddles:
34. I was an ancient West African empire located in what is now southeast Burkina Faso. I was known for my skilled cavalry and flourishing trans-Saharan trade. What empire was I?
Answer: Ghana Empire
35. We are an ethnic group that founded the Mossi Kingdoms, which ruled large parts of Burkina Faso from the 11th to 19th centuries. Who are we?
Answer: Mossi people
36. I am a 1898 battle in which British forces defeated the kingdoms of what is now Burkina Faso, allowing for British colonization. What battle was I?
Answer: Battle of Ouagadougou
37. I am the French colonial territory established in 1919 that later became Burkina Faso. What was I called?
Answer: Upper Volta
38. I am the revolutionary leader who led Upper Volta to independence from France in 1960. Who am I?
Answer: Maurice Yaméogo
Miscellaneous Riddles
Try these assorted riddles about Burkina Faso:
39. My name means “land of honest/upright people” in the local languages of Burkina Faso. What country is this nickname referring to?
Answer: Burkina Faso
40. Burkina Faso’s currency shares its name with me, a West African country and former French colony. What country is this?
Answer: Côte d’Ivoire (Ivoirian franc)
41. Burkina Faso’s flag features my shape, which repeats infinitely without ever intersecting itself. I represent unity and continuity. What shape am I?
Answer: A spiral
42. I am Burkina Faso’s most widely played sport – running is my main activity. Pelé played me as a child. What sport am I?
Answer: Soccer/football
43. I am a Burkinabé 3-stringed lute instrument made from a gourd covered with leather. Griots use me to accompany their singing. What am I?
Answer: N’goni
44. The Burkinabé award me to students who excel on national exams and graduate top of their class. I am a privilege restricted under colonization. What am I?
Answer: Scholarship/education opportunities
45. I am Burkina Faso’s largest lake, created by a dam on the Mouhoun River. I am an important reservoir and source of fish. What lake am I?
Answer: Lake Bam
46. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital, is home to me, Africa’s largest film festival celebrating African cinema since 1969. What am I?
Answer: FESPACO (Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou)
47. The Burkinabé respect me greatly, speaking my name to start village meetings and seeking my wisdom. I am regarded as righteous and honest. What am I?
Answer: Elders/old people
48. Burkina Faso’s traditional houses are circular and have conical thatched roofs made from my sturdy stems. I am a tough grass that thrives in hot climates. What am I?
Answer: Elephant grass
49. Burkina Faso’s Bazoule sacred crocodiles honor me, the deity associated with the local pool and cliffs. I bring fertility and fortune. Who am I?
Answer: Mbourou
50. Burkina Faso’s economy relies heavily on me, though climate change threatens my productivity. Cotton and sesame are two of my major types there. What am I?
Answer: Agriculture
51. I am Burkina Faso’s form of Mossi music, played by wandering musicians at ceremonies. My songs often tell ancient myths and histories. What am I?
Answer: Yirgou folk music
52. Burkina Faso’s Bwa people are famous for their decorative wooden masks depicting me, a protective forest spirit with horns and a long nose. What am I?
Answer: Do/Dwo masks
53. Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso’s second largest city, is an important center for my craft in the country. I am carved from wood by specialized artisans. What craft am I?
Answer: Mask making
54. I am a Burkinabé politician who served as Prime Minister from 2019-2021 under President Kaboré. Who am I?
Answer: Christophe Joseph Marie Dabiré
55. The Gourma people of eastern Burkina Faso practice a special ritual for me, their cultural ideal of feminine beauty involving body art and ornaments. What am I?
Answer: Stretched lip beauty ritual
56. Burkina Faso’s Dindéfelo site contains over 11,000 of me, mysterious giant granite sculptures scattered across the desert. What am I?
Answer: Megaliths/standing stones
Conclusion
From the savanna terrain to the Mossi masks, Burkina Faso offers many fascinating topics for riddles. Though one of Africa’s poorer countries, its vibrant culture, resilient people, and stunning landscapes provide inspiration. Testing your knowledge with these 56 riddles can teach you more about Burkina Faso – the “land of honest people.”
