Malawi is a beautiful country located in southeast Africa, bordered by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Known as the “Warm Heart of Africa” for its friendly people and gorgeous landscapes, Malawi offers visitors a chance to experience African culture and natural beauty. Let’s explore this lovely country through 45 fun riddles!
Geography Riddles
Q: What African Great Lake provides hydroelectric power to Malawi?
A: Lake Malawi
Q: What tropical grassland biome covers much of Malawi?
A: Miombo woodlands
Q: What mountain range runs through northern Malawi?
A: Viphya Mountains
Q: What river forms part of Malawi’s border with Mozambique?
A: Shire River
Q: What narrow southern tip of Malawi juts into Mozambique?
A: The Nsanje district
History & Culture Riddles
Q: What Empire ruled Malawi in the late 1800s?
A: British Empire
Q: What is the Chamare Museum dedicated to preserving?
A: Malawian culture and history
Q: What celebrating dance involves women shaking bottles filled with beads or maize kernels on their heads?
A: Gule Wamkulu
Q: What precious mineral was mined in Mwaulambo until the 1980s?
A: Uranium
Q: What 1991 referendum ended Hastings Banda’s 30-year rule?
A: Referendum for multi-party democracy
Famous Landmarks
Q: What Portuguese colonial fort is now a museum in Malawi’s old capital city?
A: Fort Mangochi
Q: What mountain has rock paintings and engravings dating back 2,000 years?
A: Chongoni Rock Art Area
Q: What reserve has elephants, hippos, crocodiles and 500 bird species?
A: Liwonde National Park
Q: What stone age burial site and nature reserve features wildlife and waterfalls?
A: Nkhata Bay
Q: What tropical forest reserve has mahogany, ebony and wild orchids?
A: Nyika National Park
Cities & Regions
Q: What hilly city was the first capital after independence?
A: Zomba
Q: What major city is called the “Commercial Capital” of Malawi?
A: Blantyre
Q: What northern region is home to the Nyika Plateau’s highlands?
A: Northern Region
Q: What southern district features banana and sugar plantations?
A: Chikwawa District
Q: What central region city hosts a massive market each August?
A: Salima
People & Culture Riddles
Q: What Chilembwe led an uprising against white rule in 1915?
A: John Chilembwe
Q: What female chief ruled in the Dedza area in the 1800s?
A: Chief Kawinga
Q: What Anglican bishop was an early critic of Banda’s rule?
A: Bishop John Chisisiriro Zuza
Q: What musical instrument is made from a gourd with beads or shells?
A: Kalimba
Q: What Chichewa phrase means “How are you” in greeting?
A: Moni
Traditional Foods
Q: What maize flour dish is Malawi’s national food?
A: Nsima
Q: What banana stew dish has meat and vegetables?
A: Ndiwo
Q: What type of greens are common in Malawian relishes?
A: Rape greens
Q: What dried fish from Lake Malawi is an umami flavor enhancer?
A: Utaka
Q: What sweet potato and peanut flour fritters are a popular snack?
A: Zitumbuwa
Fauna Riddles
Q: What big cat found in Liwonde National Park is known for its rosette markings?
A: African leopard
Q: What is the most common species of snake found across Malawi?
A: Mozambique spitting cobra
Q: What rodent pest damages stored grains across sub-Saharan Africa?
A: Multimammate mouse
Q: What colorful lizard species are commonly sold as pets exported from southern Africa?
A: Panther chameleons
Q: What bird species painted on the Malawian flag is known for its red beak and head?
A: Red-chested cuckoo
Aquatic Life Riddles
Q: What fish species introduced from Lake Albert is now abundant in Lake Malawi?
A: Nile tilapia
Q: What Lake Malawi fish species only feed at night, named for dragon legends?
A: Ndunduma dragonfish
Q: What bottom-feeder fish has an electric organ used to stun prey and deter predators?
A: Electric catfish
Q: What endemic Lake Malawi fish species are popular in the aquarium trade?
A: Mbuna cichlids
Q: What is the only crocodile species found in Malawi?
A: Nile crocodile
Flora Riddles
Q: What flowering tree called “the tree of life” has oil-rich seeds?
A: Moringa
Q: What vine’s beans are used as a meat substitute named “Malawi caviar”?
A: Lablab purpureus
Q: What parasitic plant causes witchweed disease in grain crops?
A: Striga asiatica
Q: What timber species threatened by overharvest has rose-scented wood?
A: African rosewood
Q: What nut tree also yields materials for soap and biofuel?
A: Jatropha
Weather & Geography Riddles
Q: What rainy season from November to April brings heavy storms?
A: Wet season
Q: What hot, dry winter season runs from May to October?
A: Dry season
Q: What elevation is the Nyika Plateau in northern Malawi?
A: 2,600 meters
Q: What Great Rift Valley lake stretches for 560 kilometers?
A: Lake Malawi
Q: What mountain is the highest point in Malawi at 3,002 meters?
A: Mulanje Massif
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed these 45 riddles about magnificent Malawi! This collection covers geography, history, culture, landmarks, cities, people, cuisine, wildlife, ecology and more. Let me know if you have any other riddles to contribute about Malawi’s warm heart. Zikomo kwambiri (thank you very much)!
