Madagascar is an island country located off the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. It’s known for its incredible biodiversity, with lemurs, chameleons and other wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. The country also has a rich and vibrant culture reflected in its art, music, cuisine and traditions.
In this article, we have compiled 56 riddles related to Madagascar along with their answers. Some riddles touch on the country’s unique flora and fauna, while others explore its history and culture. The riddles vary in difficulty – some quite tricky and others more straight forward. See how many you can get right!
Geography & Nature Riddles
Riddles about Madagascar’s location and terrain
1) I’m an island country found east of Mozambique in the Indian Ocean. What am I?
Answer: Madagascar
2) We’re the world’s 4th largest island, though still quite petite. Across our terrain you’ll find mountains, rainforests and sandy beaches. What island are we?
Answer: Madagascar
3) My shape resembles a giant droplet, with a narrow southern tip and wide northern regions. I’m found alongside Africa in the sea. What country am I?
Answer: Madagascar
4) My terrain includes tropical rainforests, mountains, grasslands and deserts too. Lemurs, chameleons and baobabs are found only here in my land. What island am I?
Answer: Madagascar
Riddles about Madagascar’s wildlife and environment
5) We only live on one island that many know quite well. In the trees we leap, with fur that’s white and fluffy like marshmellows! What animals are we?
Answer: Ring-tailed lemurs
6) I feast on leaves, fruit and flowers too, using a long sticky tongue to get my food. From chameleons and geckos I did evolve, now in rainbow colors I proudly rove. What Madagascar reptile am I?
Answer: Panther chameleon
7) Spiny forests dense with octopus trees are where we love to be. On the ground we shuffle and scuttle hurriedly. Who are we Madagascan creatures?
Answer: Land crabs/aye-ayes
8) My ancestors roamed with dinosaurs it’s true, but now in Madagascar I live, not many left compared to my ancestor’s brood. I have a long snout like an anteater, that I use to feed on insects here in this island greater. What am I?
Answer: Aye-aye
Riddles about environmental threats in Madagascar
9) With onset I bring fires that destroy vegetation and homes, as farmers clear forests by slash and by burn. My other name is _______, now what term am I?
Answer: Tavy (slah-and-burn agriculture)
10) Exotic species like me weren’t here originally, but were introduced by man unwittingly. Now I gobble up food critical to your wildlife. What am I?
Answer: Invasive/introduced species
History & Culture Riddles
Riddles about Madagascar’s first settlers
11) We journeyed by boat to Madagascar’s fertile land. Our outriggers crossed the sea as many of us hand in hand. We became the island’s first people you see. Who might we be?
Answer: Austronesian settlers/sailors
12) I’m thought to be the first human to have settled Madagascar way back when. My name derives from a practice of sororal polygyny followed by my people then. Who am I?
Answer: Queen Mada/Mother Mada
Riddles about Madagascar’s former kingdoms
13) Our kingdom emerged back in the 1500s in Madagascar’s fertile highlands. Our people practiced cattle rustling and slave trading too, until the French seized our lands. Who are we?
Answer: Merina Kingdom
14) French attacks eventually brought down our vast and mighty kingdom. Who were we that ruled Madagascar ages ago?
Answer: Merina Kingdom
15) I’m a term often used to refer to the diverse range of beliefs practiced by many Malagasy before conversion. Idols, divination, astrology and ancestor worship were central to me. What am I?
Answer: Traditional religion(s)/beliefs
Riddles about Madagascar’s fight for independence
16) Our Democratic Movement led the push for Madagascar’s liberty. We peacefully protested until the French finally let the country be. What group were we?
Answer: The MDRM (Madagascar Democratic Movement)
17) I wrote the Malagasy Declaration of Independence back in ’58. Now I’m known as the father of the homeland, my struggle brought Madagascar home to roost. Who am I?
Answer: Philibert Tsiranana
Riddles about modern Madagascar
18) My family has been accused of corruption during our presidential reign. Some even say we looted millions throughout our tenure. Ravalomanana is our name. What are we?
Answer: The Ravalomanana administration/presidency
19) I’m a term for the cultural practice of family members rewrapping their dead every 5-7 years. Unity, lineage and respect are renewed when this ritual’s done. What custom am I?
Answer: Famadihana
20) Zebu cattle play a central role in our coming of age rituals even today. Young men herd these animals on remote trips as a rite of _____. What is this practice called?
Answer: Zebu cattle rite of passage
Arts & Entertainment Riddles
Riddles about Malagasy music and instruments
21) My strings are plucked to create a soulful vibe. I originated from Arabia and am now integral to Malagasy musical pride. What instrument am I?
Answer: Valiha (tube zither)
22) You’ll hear me tapped and shaken in rhythms bright and bold. Seeds or shells are strung so my sonorous sound unfolds. What Madagascan instrument am I?
Answer: Seed shaker (e.g. tsikafara)
23) My bowl-like body amplifies notes when strings are plucked. I’m an emblem now of Madagascar’s culture and fame. What iconic instrument am I?
Answer: Marovany (box zither)
Riddles about Madagascar’s wildlife in media
24) On the big screen, we had a wild crew of New York zoo animals go rogue. We fled in trams then ships to explore my homeland. What animated Madagascar movie are we?
Answer: Madagascar (the movie)
25) I’m a group of Central Park zoo animals that get shipwrecked on the island of Madagascar. There’s Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo and of course, us wacky penguins! What movie series are we from?
Answer: Madagascar movie series
Riddles about other Malagasy tales and legends
26) In tales I bring both good and evil and magical things. I teach lessons about life – right, wrong and the suffering it sometimes brings. I am _______, teacher of wisdom in Madagascar lore. What am I?
Answer: Ancestors (razana)/ Zanahary (God)/ Spirits
27) My name comes from a mythical whirlpool with a siren or spirit beast. Sailors speak of me off Tulear where many a ship and sailor deceased. What am I?
Answer: Lovo-mahery (powerful whirlpool)
Science & Academia Riddles
Riddles about researching Madagascar’s ecology
28) Our wild name comes from Greek words meaning “different” and “tooth”. We’re key to understanding Madagascar’s ancient ecology through fossils and evolution. What group of extinct animals are we?
Answer: Xenarthrans/Plesiomorphic mammals
29) Studying evolution, we examine crayfish micro-organs to unravel Madagascar’s xenarthran past. Who are we?
Answer: Evolutionary biologists
Riddles about threats to wildlife
30) We estimate damage from climate change and human actions like deforestation. Our analyses help protect Madagascar’s habitat and endangered wildlife. What analysts are we?
Answer: Conservation biologists
31) We work tirelessly to speak for species under duress. From lemurs to orchids, we champion Madagascar’s wondrous life and natural success. Saving Earth’s most unique creatures is our solemn pledge, who are we?
Answer: Wildlife conservationists
Food & Drink Riddles
Riddles about staple Malagasy ingredients
32) I’m a starchy tuber vegetable central to Malagasy cuisine. You’ll find me in soups, salads and sides. What ingredient am I?
Answer: Cassava/manioc
33) We’re beans, lentils or peas boiled up to make flavorful local stews. Mixed with veggies or meat, we’re the crucial protein of many a Madagascan food fest. What are we?
Answer: Legumes
34) My fragrant leaves and buds are used to beautifully flavor dishes and drinks too. I also make honey and silk on this lovely island. What plant am I?
Answer: Tea plant/Tea bush/Camellia sinensis
Riddles about unique wildlife ingredients
35) My meat is described as sweet, tender and fragrant as can be. Forest hogs are relatives of mine you see. If caught young, in stews I’ll be. What wild pig am I?
Answer: Wild boar (lambo lahy)
36) We’re giant frog legs fried up crispy and nice. Though eating us breaks taboos more than twice! What crazy dish are we?
Answer: Fried/sautéed frog legs
37) I’m an eel-like fish that’s salted then smoke-dried for flavor. You’ll find me on the menu especially in coastal cities by the crater. What seafood delicacy am I?
Answer: Smoked eel (fotsimerankely)
Riddles about popular Malagasy drinks
38) Fermented from sugarcane, I’m Madagascar’s beloved sweet and strong national drink. Rum substitutes me now, but once I flowed freely wherever Malagasy gathered to eat and drink. What traditional beverage am I?
Answer: Betsabetsa (rum substitute)
39) We’re a fruity rum-based punch with zebu milk or cream. Our name literally means “milk punch” in the native Malagasy tongue. What classic party cups are we?
Answer: Ranon’ampango (milk punch)
Business & Economy Riddles
Riddles about key Madagascar industries
40) I’m a precious red spice churned from dried pods through painstaking toil. Famed as “red gold,” I put Madagascar’s name on the map and in every pot. What spice am I?
Answer: Vanilla
41) Grown in plantations, I’m dried, cured and exported in heaps. My sweet yet musky aroma and rich taste have made fortunes for Madagascar’s economy. What cash crop am I?
Answer: Vanilla
42) My fibers woven into raffia bags and hats, protect rice and bring income more. I’m not quite bamboo, but still very useful in Madagascar galore. What tall grass plant am I?
Answer: Raffia/Rafia palm
43) Tourists flock to me to see wildlife and national parks too. Over just two years I dropped by almost 80%, when politics forced my parks to close through and through. What African country am I?
Answer: Madagascar
Riddles about trade
44) We import fuels, machines, tech and food in gigantic amounts. Yet still have a negative trade balance despite our fragrant vanilla accounts. What Indian Ocean country are we?
Answer: Madagascar
45) Once prized, now banned – for us trade spelled doom and mass extinction. Yet still we’re poached for our scales that some value without ethical reflection. What unique Madagascar reptiles are we?
Answer: Ploughshare tortoises
Society & Lifestyle Riddles
Riddles about cultural practices
46) In me, families wrap corpses to honor kin once more. I renew unity and being, beyond death’s ultimate door. What riotous ritual am I?
Answer: Famadihana (rewrapping of the dead)
47) My name describes a big party to honor close family ties. Many cows and bulls are sacrificed then food’s provided in mountainous piles. What celebration am I?
Answer: Fanompoana (“chest full” feast)
48) When a member dies, I’m held to bring back their soul. Sacrifices, famadihana, music and food help make them again whole. What ritual am I?
Answer: Sadjo (“lure back the ghost” ritual)
Riddles about family structure and values
49) My bonds link the living, the dead, and those yet to come. For rural Malagasy I’m the social safety net when crisis or hardship has struck home. What am I?
Answer: The extended family/clan/kinship group
50) I’m the family bed in many a rural Malagasy home. Woven from raffia or reeds, keeping us off the damp floor is my vital role. What am I?
Answer: Madagascar raised/stilted bed/oratory
Riddles about language
51) My alphabet’s based on Latin letters twenty-six. English and French lexicon have also thrown into my linguistic mix. If Malagasy is what you speak, then what written script would you seek?
Answer: Latin/Roman alphabet
Geography Riddles
Riddles about notable locations
52) My busy port bears a French name from islands far away. Shipwrecks and pirates fill my history’s tapestry. What eastern city am I today?
Answer: Toamasina (Tamatave)
53) I’m a town named for a former ruling dynasty ages old. Forts and ruins tell my tale from times of kingdoms gold. What historic place am I?
Answer: Antananarivo (Tananarive)
54) My name means “thundering smoke” in the native coastal tongues. Once used for executions, now I’m revered by locals and visitors alike. What sacred volcano landmark am I?
Answer: Mt Ifandana (Mountain of the Thundering Smoke)
Riddles about geographical features
55) My gaping red mouth belches steam high to tropical skies above. Hikers who venture down may never return from my depths below. What volcanic caldera landmark am I?
Answer: Lac Itasy
56) We’re a unique habitat found only on this island nation. With spiny plants, we evolved for drought tolerance across sandy locations. What special Madagascar ecosystem are we?
Answer: Spiny forest/spiny desert
Conclusion
And there you have it – 56 riddles spanning topics from wildlife to cuisine to music and more, all about the wildly wonderful island country of Madagascar! How many were you able to correctly guess? Let us know in the comments. Learning more about this incredible Indian Ocean nation through these riddles was both entertaining and educational. We covered unique animals, cultural practices, language, landmarks and so much between. What fact was most interesting or surprising to you? Let us know!
