Comoros is an archipelago island nation in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa. Here are 38 riddles along with their answers related to Comoros to test your knowledge about this unique country.
Geography
Riddle 1
I’m an archipelago of volcanic islands located off the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. What am I?
Answer: Comoros
Riddle 2
We are an archipelago nation made up of four main islands – Grande Comore, Anjouan, Mayotte, and Mohéli. What country are we?
Answer: Comoros
Riddle 3
I’m the largest and most economically important island of Comoros, with the largest active volcano in the world. What island am I?
Answer: Grande Comore
People and Culture
Riddle 4
We make up most of the population of Comoros and have our origins on the African mainland. Who are we?
Answer: Bantu peoples
Riddle 5
I’m the most widely spoken language in Comoros, derived from Swahili with influence from Arabic and French. What language am I?
Answer: Comorian
Riddle 6
We practice Islam as the dominant religion in Comoros, with most of us following the Shafi’i school of Islamic jurisprudence. Who are we?
Answer: Comorians / People of Comoros
Riddle 7
I’m a traditional form of music and dance widely performed during celebrations and festivals in Comoros. My name comes from the Arabic word meaning “possessed by spirits”. What am I called?
Answer: Twarab
Riddle 8
We celebrate the end of Ramadan in Comoros with feasts, parties, dance, and cultural events. What holiday are we?
Answer: Eid al-Fitr
Riddle 9
I am an unofficial national dress for women in Comoros, made of layers of light fabric in vibrant colors and patterns. What garment am I describing?
Answer: Shilele
History
Riddle 10
We were the earliest inhabitants of the islands that now make up Comoros, arriving by boat from Asia and Madagascar between the 5th and 15th centuries. Who are we?
Answer: Bantu-speaking settlers
Riddle 11
I am a sultanate centered on Grande Comore that dominated much of Comoros from 1503 until the late 18th century when I came under French rule. What historical kingdom am I?
Answer: Sultanate of Ndzuwani
Riddle 12
We are a dynasty of rulers in Comoros thattrace their lineage back to the early 19th century Sultan Ndzuwani. What dynasty is our name?
Answer: Abderahmane dynasty / House of Abderahmane
Riddle 13
I declared Comoros’ independence from France in 1975 and served as its first president until I was overthrown in a coup. Who am I?
Answer: Ahmed Abdallah
Politics and Government
Riddle 14
I am the current capital and largest city of the Union of Comoros, located on the island of Grande Comore. What city am I?
Answer: Moroni
Riddle 15
I am the island of Comoros that voted in 1974 to remain an overseas territory of France instead of joining the other islands in the newly independent nation. What island am I?
Answer: Mayotte
Riddle 16
I am the president of the Union of the Comoros, having taken office in 2016 after a contested election. Who am I?
Answer: Azali Assoumani
Riddle 17
I am a separatist group in Anjouan that led violent uprisings in 1997 and 2007 in favor of the island’s independence. What group am I?
Answer: Anjouan People’s Movement
Economy
Riddle 18
I account for around 40% of Comoros’ GDP and employ over 80% of the workforce, with important cash crops including vanilla, ylang-ylang, and cloves. What sector am I?
Answer: Agriculture
Riddle 19
Due to our historic ties with France, this currency has been commonly used in Comoros since independence alongside the Comorian franc. What currency are we?
Answer: French franc / CFA franc
Riddle 20
I am a development program funded by the United Nations that aims to help Comoros become an emerging economy by 2030. What am I called?
Answer: Emerging Comoros Plan
Riddle 21
We are a group of volcanic islands located northwest of Madagascar that are claimed by both France and Comoros. What islands are we?
Answer: Glorioso Islands
Society and Culture
Riddle 22
We are traditional houses found in rural villages of Grande Comore, circular in shape with conical thatched roofs called ndzuwani. What type of houses are we?
Answer: Banga houses
Riddle 23
I am a savory doughnut-like snack and street food popular in Comoros, made of chickpea flour, coconut milk, and spices. What am I called?
Answer: Bouchons / Kombo
Riddle 24
We are a beloved national dish of Comoros, consisting of a spicy chicken, fish, or meat curry served with rice, bananas, and tomato-onion sauce called chatsats. What dish are we?
Answer: Langouste a la Vanille
Riddle 25
I am an increasingly popular sport in Comoros and have represented the country internationally several times, though facilities remain limited. What sport am I?
Answer: Football/Soccer
Wildlife and Nature
Riddle 26
I am the world’s most active volcano located on Grande Comore, with minor eruptions and gas emissions occurring frequently in recent years. What volcano am I?
Answer: Mount Karthala
Riddle 27
We are unique rodents found only on Anjouan Island with no close relatives, famous for our almost complete lack of a tail. What animal are we?
Answer: Livingstone’s fruit bats
Riddle 28
I am a critically endangered bird species endemic to Comoros, now limited to about 100 breeding pairs on Mohéli due to deforestation and predation. What Comorian bird am I?
Answer: Karthala scops-owl
Riddle 29
We are a colorful group of lizards found across the Comoros islands, famous for our ability to lose our tails when attacked by predators. What type of animal are we?
Answer: Comoro day geckos
Landmarks and Tourist Attractions
Riddle 30
I am a historic medina and UNESCO World Heritage Site located on Grande Comore, characterized by narrow alleyways and white-washed houses with big wooden doors. What place am I?
Answer: Iconi Old Town/Medina
Riddle 31
Located near Moroni, I am one of Comoros’ few archaeological sites, featuring ruins and tombs linked to the ancient Shirazi civilization. What place am I?
Answer: Ntsaoueni historical site
Riddle 32
I am a nature reserve spanning two islands in northern Comoros that encompasses coral reefs, dense forests, and habitat for the rare Livingstone fruit bat. What protected area am I?
Answer: Mohéli Marine Park
Riddle 33
Known as the “Perfume Islands”, we are a group of islands located off the coast of Comoros that produce most of the world’s ylang-ylang essential oil. What are we called?
Answer: The Glorioso Islands
Notable Comorians
Riddle 34
I gained fame as a legendary warrior queen who united the islands now known as Comoros and led resistance efforts against French rule in the 19th century. Who am I?
Answer: Fatima bint Abderremane / Queen Fatima
Riddle 35
I am an internationally renowned athlete from Comoros who won a silver medal in the 2019 Asian Athletics Championships in the long jump event. Who am I?
Answer: Youssouf Mohamed Ali
Riddle 36
I am an acclaimed Comorian writer and anthropologist honored internationally for my novels and ethnographic studies portraying Comorian culture. Who am I?
Answer: Soilih Mohamed Soilih
Riddle 37
I gained recognition as the world’s youngest head of state in 1975 when I became president of Comoros at age 27 after leading a coup against the former regime. Who am I?
Answer: Ali Soilih
Riddle 38
I am a famous Comorian singer-songwriter known as the “Queen of Khmar Music” for my unique blend African, Arabic, and French influences. Who am I?
Answer: Nawal
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these riddles and learned something new about the interesting country of Comoros! From its fascinating history and culture to its diverse wildlife, Comoros has many surprises packed into its small island nation. Let me know if you have any other riddles about this lesser-known but vibrant Indian Ocean archipelago!
