Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa named after the Niger River. Here are 40 riddles about Niger along with the answers to test your knowledge about this unique country.
Geography
Riddle 1
I flow through Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin and Nigeria. Thousands rely on me for food and transportation. What am I?
Answer: The Niger River
Riddle 2
I am a desert in northern Niger, covering over 75,000 square miles. My sands are dotted with oases that provide water in this dry land. What am I?
Answer: The Sahara Desert
Riddle 3
We are a mountain range stretching across northern Niger. Our highest peak is Mount Bagzane at over 5,000 feet. What are we?
Answer: The Air Mountains
History
Riddle 4
I am an ancient city in Niger, once a center of trade and Islamic scholarship. My old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What am I?
Answer: Agadez
Riddle 5
We are cliff dwellings and fortified villages along the Bandiagara Escarpment, showcasing Dogon architecture. We are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. What are we?
Answer: The Cliff of Bandiagara
Riddle 6
I am a pre-colonial kingdom that ruled parts of what is now Niger from the 15th to the 19th century. My capital was Agadez. What was I called?
Answer: Sultanate of Aïr
People
Riddle 7
We make up over 50% of Niger’s population. French is our official language, but we have over 10 indigenous languages. Who are we?
Answer: Nigeriens
Riddle 8
I am an ethnic group living mainly in eastern Niger. We are known for our skilled metalworking and leathercrafts. Over 90% of us follow Islam. Who are we?
Answer: The Tuareg
Riddle 9
I am Niger’s president, first elected in 2011 and re-elected in 2016. I am working to strengthen Niger’s democracy and economy. Who am I?
Answer: Mahamadou Issoufou
Culture
Riddle 10
I am a 3-day music festival held yearly in Niger’s capital. I showcase Niger’s cultural diversity with traditional and modern music. What festival am I?
Answer: The Cure Salée festival
Riddle 11
We are mud mosques found in Niger’s old towns like Agadez and Zinder. With our tapered minarets, some of us date back to the 15th century. What are we called?
Answer: Sudano-Sahelian mosques
Riddle 12
I am a handwoven dyed cloth traditionally worn by Tuareg and Hausa women in Niger. I come in vibrant colors and patterns unique to different regions. What am I?
Answer: Tenne
Wildlife
Riddle 13
I am a large species of antelope native to the savannas of West and Central Africa. My long, spiraled horns make me easy to recognize. What antelope am I?
Answer: The greater kudu
Riddle 14
We are a species of gazelle living in the Sahara’s mountain massifs. We’re known for our elegant curved horns on both males and females. What gazelle are we?
Answer: Dama gazelle
Riddle 15
I am the national animal of Niger, depicted on the coat of arms. I have a tan coat with dark vertical stripes. Who am I?
Answer: The Barbary sheep
Environment
Riddle 16
I am a wetland in southwest Niger, the third largest in Africa. Over 120 bird species visit me each year. What am I?
Answer: Lake Chad
Riddle 17
We cover over 80% of Niger’s land area. Farming us is difficult, so Niger relies on us for raising livestock instead of crops. What are we?
Answer: Deserts
Riddle 18
I threaten Niger’s rural population by expanding cropland into grazing areas. This leads to conflict between farmers and herders. What am I?
Answer: Desertification
Economy
Riddle 19
I am Niger’s most valued export, accounting for over 70% of export earnings. Niger is one of the world’s top producers of me. What am I?
Answer: Uranium
Riddle 20
We are a group of minerals found in Niger’s northern and western regions. Niger is one of the world’s top producers of us. What minerals are we?
Answer: Uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates
Riddle 21
I am the currency of Niger and other West African states. I am issued by the Central Bank of West African States. What am I called?
Answer: West African CFA franc
Food
Riddle 22
I am a popular street food in Niger made of millet or sorghum flour balls cooked in soup or sauce. I go by different names across West Africa. What dish am I?
Answer: Tò
Riddle 23
We are a fermented millet porridge and a staple food in Niger. We provide calories and protein essential in Niger’s hot climate. What are we called?
Answer: Alyssa or fura
Riddle 24
I am Niger’s national dish – grilled goat meat served with a thick millet porridge called tuwo. What dish am I?
Answer: Tuwon taushe
Language
Riddle 25
We make up the 3 official languages of Niger. One of us is spoken by 80% of the population. What languages are we?
Answer: French, Hausa, Zarma
Riddle 26
I belong to the Songhay languages and have over 1.5 million speakers in Niger. I am the most spoken indigenous language in the country. What language am I?
Answer: Zarma
Riddle 27
I am a Berber language spoken by the Tuareg and Tubu people in Niger’s north. My writing system is called Tifinagh. What language am I?
Answer: Tamasheq
Cities
Riddle 28
I am Niger’s largest and capital city, located on the Niger River. French colonial architecture and museums can be found here. What city am I?
Answer: Niamey
Riddle 29
I am the third largest city in Niger, known as a center for Tuareg culture and artisanal crafts. What city am I?
Answer: Agadez
Riddle 30
I am Niger’s second largest city, located on the Niger River upstream from Niamey. I am an important economic and cultural center. What city am I?
Answer: Zinder
Miscellaneous
Riddle 31
I am a 2,022 mile long river flowing through 6 countries including Niger. I am a vital source of water and transportation in West Africa. What river am I?
Answer: The Niger River
Riddle 32
I am a Late Stone Age culture known for producing some of the earliest sub-Saharan pottery. Sites from my civilization can be found in eastern Niger. Who am I?
Answer: The Kiffian culture
Riddle 33
We cover nearly all of Niger, with highs over 120°F being common in our warmer months. What seasons are we?
Answer: The dry and rainy seasons
Sports
Riddle 34
I am Niger’s most popular sport and national sport. I involve competing teams trying to score goals on each other’s nets. What sport am I?
Answer: Soccer
Riddle 35
I am a form of wrestling practiced by the Hausa people. I take place in pits filled with sand and involve wrestlers trying to throw their opponents. What is my name?
Answer: Kokawa
Riddle 36
I am a Tuareg traditional sport similar to hockey. I am played on camelback and involve hitting a wooden puck with sticks towards goal posts. What sport am I?
Answer: Témédat
Famous People
Riddle 37
I led a Tuareg uprising against French colonial rule in Niger in the early 20th century. I am considered a national hero and have a major street named after me in Niamey. Who am I?
Answer: Kaocen Ag Mohammed
Riddle 38
I was Niger’s first president after independence, serving from 1960 to 1974. I helped bring stability and democracy to Niger. Who am I?
Answer: Hamani Diori
Riddle 39
I was a famous Songhay writer and historian from the medieval West African empire. My books Timbuktu and The Epic of Askia Muhammed chronicle life in the empire. Who am I?
Answer: Al-Saadi
Conclusion
Riddle 40
I gained independence from France in 1960 and had my first democratic elections in 1993. I am one of the poorest nations, but rich in cultural traditions. What country am I?
Answer: Niger
How many of these Niger riddles could you solve correctly? Learning about a country through its history, culture, geography and people helps gain a well-rounded perspective. Though facing development challenges, Niger has persevered as a politically stable democracy. The Tuareg, Hausa and other ethnic groups each add unique aspects to Niger’s national identity and heritage. With knowledge comes understanding – hopefully these riddles have provided some insight into this little-known West African country.
