Papua New Guinea is a culturally and geographically diverse country located north of Australia. Known for its rugged terrain, traditional cultures, and over 800 indigenous languages, Papua New Guinea offers much to explore. Let’s challenge our knowledge of this fascinating country with 37 riddles about Papua New Guinea. Test your wits and read on for the answers!
Riddles about Papua New Guinea’s Geography
Riddle 1: What is the longest river in Papua New Guinea?
The Sepik River stretches for over 1,100 kilometers through northern Papua New Guinea. Known for its extensive network of tributaries and channels, the Sepik sustains rich rainforest environments and traditional cultures reliant on sago palms.
Riddle 2: Over 80% of Papua New Guinea’s land area consists of this rugged terrain:
Papua New Guinea is predominantly covered by dense, mountainous rainforests. With peaks over 14,000 feet high, the country’s largely impassable interior terrain has contributed to the isolation of various indigenous groups.
Riddle 3: What sea borders the south coast of Papua New Guinea’s mainland?
The Coral Sea borders the south coast of Papua New Guinea. Named for its stunning coral formations, the Coral Sea sustains a vibrant diversity of marine life.
Riddles about Papua New Guinea’s History & Cultures
Riddle 4: For over 40,000 years, Papua New Guinea has been home to this group of peoples:
Papua New Guinea has been inhabited by Australian Aboriginal and Papuan peoples for over 40,000 years. These groups developed rich artistic traditions expressed in rock art, body decoration, masks, and more.
Riddle 5: In the late 19th century, this European nation colonized the southeastern part of Papua New Guinea:
Britain colonized the southeastern part of Papua New Guinea in the late 1800s, calling it British New Guinea. Germany claimed the northeastern part shortly after, naming their territory German New Guinea.
Riddle 6: Whatpidgin language developed in Papua New Guinea during the colonial era?
Tok Pisin developed in Papua New Guinea as a pidgin language enabling communication between colonists, laborers, and indigenous peoples. Still widely spoken today, Tok Pisin combines English vocabulary with Papuan grammatical structures.
Riddles about Flora & Fauna in Papua New Guinea
Riddle 7: With over 700 species in Papua New Guinea alone, these colorful birds are a national symbol:
Birds-of-paradise, with their spectacular plumes, are endemic to New Guinea and its offshore islands. Most of the world’s 40-plus bird-of-paradise species are found in Papua New Guinea.
Riddle 8: These marsupials that lay eggs can be found in Papua New Guinea’s rainforests and savannas:
Echidnas, also called spiny anteaters, inhabit a range of habitats in Papua New Guinea. Along with the platypus, echidnas are rare egg-laying mammals.
Riddle 9: Papua New Guinea has one of the world’s largest butterflies, with wingspans up to 30 cm or 1 foot. What is it called?
Queen Alexandra’s birdwing is the world’s largest butterfly, found predominantly in Oro Province, Papua New Guinea. With blue and yellow wings, these butterflies feed on poisonous plants that render them distasteful to predators.
Riddles about Cultural Practices in Papua New Guinea
Riddle 10: Many highland groups in Papua New Guinea construct these elaborate ceremonial houses:
Ceremonial houses, or “spirit houses,” are an important traditional structure for many Papua New Guinean societies. Used for rituals, meetings, and celebrations, these decorative wooden buildings often depict ancestral spirits.
Riddle 11: What beverage do people produce in Papua New Guinea by chewing starch cassava roots and spitting into a communal pot?
Cassava roots are first chewed then spit into a pot to make cuscus – a starchy fermented beverage common at events in Papua New Guinea’s highlands. Cuscus has a mild, yeasty flavor often compared to beer.
Riddle 12: Dukduk rituals performed by this secret society from New Ireland involve elaborate masks and costumes:
The Dukduk society dons surreal masks and leaves during their ritual performances intended to reinforce social norms. Believed to embody ancestral spirits, Dukduk also performs at events like weddings, funerals, and political gatherings.
Riddles about Tourism & Conservation in Papua New Guinea
Riddle 13: Milne Bay Province’s coral reef systems comprise this major Marine Park frequented by divers:
Kimbe Bay’s astounding marine biodiversity contributes to Papua New Guinea’s reputation as the “Amazon of the ocean.” Kimbe Bay Marine Park protects nearly 1000 square miles of coral reefs, islands, and underwater cave systems.
Riddle 14: Kokoda Trail campaigners helped save these spectacular birds now depicted on Papua New Guinea’s flag:
The Raggiana bird-of-paradise is Papua New Guinea’s national bird. Habitat destruction jeopardized this species until conservationists like those involved in the Kokoda Trail campaign established protected areas.
Riddle 15: Orchid Island, known for its orchids and tree kangaroos, is found in which province?
Milne Bay Province’s Orchid Island is a biodiversity hotspot home to over 200 orchid species and unique wildlife like tree kangaroos. Located southeast of Papua New Guinea, Orchid Island draws many visitors.
Riddles about Papua New Guinea’s Cities & Regions
Riddle 16: Port Moresby located along this body of water serves as Papua New Guinea’s capital:
Located on the Coral Sea, Port Moresby is Papua New Guinea’s capital and largest city. Port Moresby sustains growing commerce despite challenges like high unemployment and crime rates.
Riddle 17: Lae, Papua New Guinea’s second largest city, lies along this major shipping route:
The port city of Lae rests on Papua New Guinea’s northeast coast along the Huon Gulf. Strategically situated along key shipping lanes, Lae serves as an important industrial hub.
Riddle 18: Known as the “Island of Fire,” Manam Island lies off the coast of which northern mainland province?
Manam Island, famed for its active volcano, sits off the coast of Madang Province’s northern peninsula. Manam has been largely evacuated due to volcanic eruptions impacting this agricultural region.
Riddles about Papua New Guinea’s Economy
Riddle 19: This mineral constitutes over 70% of Papua New Guinea’s export income:
Papua New Guinea relies heavily on its wealth of mineral resources, predominantly copper and gold reserves, which account for over 70% of its export earnings. However, little wealth from the extractives sector reaches the general population.
Riddle 20: Which starchy staple crop is central to the traditional livelihoods of most Papua New Guineans?
Sweet potato cultivation has long sustained Papua New Guineans, supplying over 50% of rural inhabitants’ daily caloric intake. Over 500 sweet potato varieties are nurtured via shifting agriculture in the country’s highlands.
Riddle 21: This nut is sustainably wild-harvested in Papua New Guinea’s lowland rainforests for income generation:
Betel nut, chewed as a mild stimulant and breath freshener across Papua New Guinea, provides vital income for rural foragers who sustainably harvest this commodity. Betel nut production engages around one fourth of the country’s population.
Riddles about Daily Life & Customs in Papua New Guinea
Riddle 22: Highlanders from Papua New Guinea’s Western Highlands often don these impressive headdresses:
Ceremonial wigs woven from human hair and ornamented with feathers, flowers, and shells are traditional in parts of Papua New Guinea’s highlands. These striking headdresses mark milestones and signal one’s accomplishments.
Riddle 23: Which starchy staple is pounded into this Papua New Guinean dish that is peeled and eaten by hand?
Taro, a root vegetable, gets mashed then wrapped in banana leaves before getting tossed onto fire pits, yielding a charred staple called mumus. Still steaming when peeled open, mumus are eaten by hand across Papua New Guinea.
Riddle 24: Complete this phrase associated with the Wantok system central to Melanesian culture: “My ______, my people…”
“My wantok, my people” references how Melanesians recognize extended clan networks as Wantoks who support each other socially and economically. Wantok connections oblige mutual assistance throughout one’s lifetime.
Riddles about Languages & Ethnolinguistic Groups in Papua New Guinea
Riddle 25: Papua New Guinea is considered the most linguistically diverse country per capita, with over how many living indigenous languages?
Papua New Guinea sustains over 800 distinct indigenous languages for its population of under nine million! These include isolates as well as languages spread via trade networks predating European contact.
Riddle 26: Most inhabitants of East New Britain Province, known for endemic bird species, speak which of Papua New Guinea’s languages?
The Baining and Taulil peoples of East New Britain mainly speak languages from this region’s North Bougainville branch. Their endangered languages are most closely related to dialects across the Solomon Sea.
Riddle 27: Which highlands people group practices rituals involving spirit impersonation and spoken spells to protect their clan’s land?
The Huli of Hela Province in Papua New Guinea’s rugged interior highlands zealously defend ancestral lands through elaborate magic rituals spoken in their native Huli language. Their population exceeds 200,000.
Riddles about Musical Traditions in Papua New Guinea
Riddle 28: Instrumental bamboo bands featuring which aerophone are a vital musical tradition across highland clans?
Bamboo bands utilizing kundu drums and wind instruments like the garamut (slit gong) resound at events across Papua New Guinea’s highlands. Some groups also incorporate the modern guitar.
Riddle 29: Which province is famed for its colorful singsings showcasing elaborate costumes, body paint, and choreography?
Enga Province hosts the country’s largest annual cultural show, the Enga Show, which attracts singsing performers donning huge wigs, body paint, and ornate accessories. Over 100 unique singsings have been documented across Papua New Guinea.
Riddle 30: What is the common name for the hourglass-shaped friction drum indispensable to rhythmic accompaniment across the highlands?
The kundu hand drum, made from lizard skin or other animal hides stretched over resonance chambers, provides rhythmic backbone for dances and songs across Papua New Guinea’s interior.
Riddles about Political History in Papua New Guinea
Riddle 31: When did Papua New Guinea gain independence from Australia?
Papua New Guinea peacefully achieved independence from Australia in 1975 under the leadership of Prime Minister Michael Somare. Annual Independence Day celebrations on September 16 commemorate Papua New Guinea’s emergence as a sovereign state.
Riddle 32: Which female anthropologist served in Papua New Guinea’s first national parliament in 1977?
Dame Carol Kidu, an influential Papua New Guinean anthropologist and advocate for women’s rights, won a seat in the 1977 election under Michael Somare’s government. Kidu later served multiple terms as Minister for Community Development.
Riddle 33: Bougainville Island attempted which political move against Papua New Guinea in the 1990s?
Bougainville Island unilaterally declared independence in 1975 then fought a separatist war against Papua New Guinea during the 1990s before negotiating an autonomous agreement. A referendum favoring independence passed in late 2019.
Riddles about Global Connections
Riddle 34: Which country served as the colonial power administering the southeastern Papua region before WWII?
Australia was mandated power over Southeastern Papua after WWI, which it combined with the northeastern territory of New Guinea to create the Territory of Papua New Guinea after WWII.
Riddle 35: Historically, the Indonesian province of West Papua had close cultural ties to which region of Papua New Guinea?
Before European colonization divided the landmass, New Guinea’s western highlanders maintained extensive connections with kindred groups over the border in West Papua’s highlands. These ties persist informally despite the international boundary.
Riddle 36: Australia and Papua New Guinea are party to which regional cooperative security agreement Since 2017?
The Australia-Papua New Guinea Enhanced Defence Cooperation Treaty supports joint military training, maritime surveillance, border operations, and response coordination against shared security threats across this diverse region.
Conclusion
How did you fare with these riddles about Papua New Guinea? This island nation remains little-known worldwide yet harbors magnificent ecosystems and a vibrant multiplicity of Melanesian cultures. With over 800 languages in an Oregon-sized country, vibrant art forms, and the planet’s most linguistically complex communities, mysteries surely remain to be discovered across Papua New Guinea!
