The Solomon Islands is an archipelago country located in the South Pacific Ocean east of Papua New Guinea. Consisting of nearly 1,000 islands, it has incredible natural beauty and diversity. The culture of the Solomon Islands also has a rich and complex history. This article features 56 riddles that explore different aspects of the Solomon Islands, challenging the reader’s knowledge about this unique island nation. Scroll down for the riddles and their revealing answers!
Geography Riddles
Riddle 1
I’m an island group in the South Pacific made up of 992 islands. Two major island chains, the Solomons and the Santa Cruz islands, make up my scattered landmasses. What am I?
Answer
The Solomon Islands
Riddle 2
I’m the highest peak in the entire Solomon Islands archipelago, towering 2,447 meters above Guadalcanal. Dense rainforest covers my slopes. What mountain am I?
Answer
Mount Popomanaseu
Riddle 3
I’m one of the Solomon Islands located far away from the archipelago’s main islands. Part of the Santa Cruz Islands, I’m famous for my palm-lined beaches, blue holes, and excellent scuba diving. What island am I?
Answer
Vanikoro
Riddle 4
I’m a body of water separating the main Solomon Islands from outlying islands like Rennell, Bellona, and Santa Cruz. I’m named after a famous European explorer. What sea am I?
Answer
The Solomon Sea
History Riddles
Riddle 5
I’m a famous naval battle that took place near the island of Guadalcanal during World War II. Considered a key Allied victory, I marked a major turning point in the Pacific War. What historic battle am I?
Answer
The Battle of Guadalcanal
Riddle 6
My islands were originally inhabited by Melanesian people before Europeans like Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira and Pedro Fernandes de Queirós made contact in the 16th century. What island nation am I?
Answer
The Solomon Islands
Riddle 7
I’m a Melanesian ethic group and language originating from the Solomon Islands’ Santa Cruz Islands. My languages features 5 dialects and around 9,000 speakers total. Who am I?
Answer
The Nendö language and Nendö people
Riddle 8
I’m a Polynesian outlier language spoken fluently by around 1,100 people on the Solomon Islands. My name refers to the Santa Cruz island where I originate. What language am I?
Answer
The Langoal language
Culture Riddles
Riddle 9
We’re elaborate crown-like feather headdresses historically worn by high-ranking Solomon Islanders during ceremonial occasions. What type of headgear are we?
Answer
Tou and bamha
Riddle 10
I’m a traditional Solomon Islander hunting or fishing spear tipped with rows of vicious barbs. I can also be used in warfare. What kind of spear am I?
Answer
Tabaka
Riddle 11
We’re mask-like face totems displayed and danced by members of secretive male societies across the Solomon Islands. Carved from wood or made from animal fur, we represent ancestral spirits. What are we?
Answer
Mago masks
Riddle 12
I’m a traditional form of rhythmic Solomon Island panpipe ensemble music. Played during ceremonies and celebrations, my sound is created through groups of bamboo tubes played in hocket. What type of music am I?
Answer
Piriu
Wildlife Riddles
Riddle 13
I’m a species of colorful parrot native to the Solomon Islands’ rainforests. With bright red feathers, a green back, and a blue belly, I’m considered critically endangered. What type of parrot am I?
Answer
The red-throated lorikeet
Riddle 14
We’re giant rats found across the Solomon Islands that can grow over 3 feet long. We feast on coconuts but are also known to eat crops, angering local farmers! What oversized rodents are we?
Answer
Malaitan giant rats
Riddle 15
I’m a species of tiny, adorable monkey found only on the island of Makira in the Solomon Islands. Named for my unusual call, I have a fluffy black fur coat and expressive brown eyes. What primate am I?
Answer
The Makira flying fox
Riddle 16
I’m a species of vibrantly blue-colored pigeon found only in the Solomon Islands’ rainforests. With bright red eyes, I’m critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting. What beautiful bird am I?
Answer
The Chestnut-bellied imperial pigeon
Economy Riddles
Riddle 17
I’m the official currency of the Solomon Islands. I’m divided into 100 smaller units called cents. What type of money am I?
Answer
The Solomon Islands dollar
Riddle 18
I’m a major export crop grown across the Solomon Islands, especially on large plantations on Guadalcanal and Malaita islands. A stimulant praised for its invigorating qualities, over 90% of my production is exported. What crop am I?
Answer
Palm oil
Riddle 19
I’m a nutritious, starchy fruit that’s a diet staple across the Solomon Islands. With white flesh and edible skin, I can be roasted, boiled, or ground into flour. What vitamin-rich crop am I?
Answer
Taro
Riddle 20
I refer to the practice of cutting down native Solomon Island forests for export profits, a major environmental issue facing the island nation. What two-word term describes this unsustainable deforestation?
Answer
Timber logging
Food Riddles
Riddle 21
I’m a traditional Melanesian pudding from the Solomon Islands made from starchy root vegetables like taro boiled with coconut milk. What’s my name?
Answer
Piringa’a
Riddle 22
We’re the succulent larvae of beetles that live in sago palm trees. Seen as a protein-rich delicacy in the Solomon Islands, we’re often roasted or fried before eating. What wiggly cuisine are we?
Answer
Sago grubs
Riddle 23
I’m a sweet Solomon Islands dish consisting of boiled bananas, taro leaves, fish, onion, coconut milk all baked together inside pouches of giant taro leaves. What tasty meal am I?
Answer
Laplap
Riddle 24
I’m a popular breakfast in the Solomon Islands, consisting of cassava or green bananas mashed into a paste and dipped into coconut milk. What’s my tasty name?
Answer
Kumara
Arts Riddles
Riddle 25
We’re intricately carved wooden statues made by the Solomon Islands’ Roviana people depicting legendary warriors and ancestors. Displayed in shrines, we can reach over 20 feet tall! What towering artworks are we?
Answer
The Nguzunguzu statues
Riddle 26
I’m a genius woodcarving tradition from the Solomon Islands’ Malaita island that uses abstract shapes and designs to represent spirits, people, plants, and animals. What artistic style am I?
Answer
Bilum art
Riddle 27
We’re colorful, handwoven bags created by women across the Solomon Islands used for carrying fruits, vegetables, shells, and even babies! Made from plant fibers like palm leaves, what useful artworks are we?
Answer
Bilum bags
Riddle 28
Derived from the Solomon Islands’ Are’are people, I’m an indigenous art form featuring intricate geometrical patterns etched onto palm-leaf mats. Used domestically or sold locally, what craft am I?
Answer
Nguzu nguzu
Language Riddles
Riddle 29
I’m the official language of government, education, and commerce across the Solomon Islands. Introduced by missionaries in the 19th century, I’m now spoken fluently by around 2 million islanders. What prevalent language am I?
Answer
Solomon Islands Pijin
Riddle 30
We’re the indigenous Austronesian languages ancestrally spoken across the islands comprising modern-day Solomon Islands. With over 60 unique tongues, we represent incredible linguistic diversity. What family of native languages are we?
Answer
The Malayo-Polynesian languages
Riddle 31
I’m number of unique native Austronesian languages spoken across the Solomon Island’s archipelago, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries on Earth. What impressive number am I?
Answer
Around 87 indigenous languages
Riddle 32
A hybrid of English and indigenous Solomon Island languages, I emerged on 19th century plantation settlements as a lingua franca for cross-cultural communication. Now an official national language, what pidgin tongue am I?
Answer
Solomon Islands Pijin
Religion Riddles
Riddle 33
Brought by 19th and 20th century missionaries, I’m the most popular religion across the Solomon Islands today with over 80% of islanders identifying with me. What common Christian faith am I?
Answer
The Church of Melanesia (Anglican)
Riddle 34
Now practiced by around 5% of Solomon Islanders, I’m an indigenous Melanesian religion that venerates ancestors and features elaborate masked dancing rituals to represent their spirits. What ancestral faith am I?
Answer
Customary religious beliefs
Riddle 35
Now practiced by around 12% of the populace, I’m a form of Christianity based on the doctrines of American faith healer John Alexander Dowie. Introduced in the early 20th century, what eccentric church am I?
Answer
The Christian Fellowship Church
Riddle 36
Built in the early 20th century by members of the Melanesian Mission, I’m one of the Solomon Islands’ most famous churches. Designed in a traditional Islander style, I feature carved designs representing spirits and local stories. What iconic Honiara chapel am I?
Answer
St. Barnabas Provincial Cathedral
People Riddles
Riddle 37
I was the first Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands after we achieved independence from Britain in 1978. Serving multiple terms, I helped transition my nation to fully autonomous rule. Who am I?
Answer
Solomon Mamaloni
Riddle 38
I’m a world-famous anthropologist and author from New Zealand who conducted groundbreaking ethnographic research across the Solomon Islands in the early 20th century. I wrote the classic book “Coming of Age in Samoa”. Who am I?
Answer
Margaret Mead
Riddle 39
I was a legendary early 20th century leader from the Solomon Islands’ Malaita island. Seen as a prophet by islanders, I organized mass uprisings against the unfair policies of Australian colonists. Who am I?
Answer
Ma’afu
Riddle 40
Born in the Florida Islands of the Solomon Island’s archipelago, I became the first governor general of my independent island nation in 1978. Knighted for my public service, what groundbreaking statesman am I?
Answer
Sir Baddeley Devesi
Tourism Riddles
Riddle 41
Located off New Georgia island, I’m a popular Solomon Islands ecotourism destination renowned for my lush rainforest teeming with exotic birds. Who am I?
Answer
Kolombangara Island
Riddle 42
I’m a famous WWII wreck site near Gizo island where a Japanese transport ship lies submerged right offshore, making me a world-class scuba diving destination What’s my name?
Answer
Toa Maru wreck
Riddle 43
Known as the “perfect Pacific atoll”, I’m a stunning coral island located inside Marovo Lagoon famous for my swaying palms, sandy beaches, and incredible snorkeling. What Solomon paradise am I?
Answer
Lola Island
Riddle 44
Perched on Guadalcanal’s northern coast, I’m a luxury beachside resort praised as the Solomon Island’s premier place to stay. What posh accommodation am I?
Answer
The Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel
Literature Riddles
Riddle 45
I’m an epic 1970 poem by Solomon Islands writer John Saunana chronicling the hardships faced by indentured workers during WWII. Translated into English as “The Alternative”, I critique Western colonization. What seminal artistic work am I?
Answer
Nubu Nudavatu
Riddle 46
I’m a 1983 play by Solomon Islander writer Joses Tuhanuku dramatizing the injustice of the early 20th century “blackbirding” slave trade across Melanesia. Performed internationally, what consciousness-raising stage work am I?
Answer
Black Liklik Pikinini
Riddle 47
I’m a contemporary poet from the Solomon Islands who tackles issues like political unrest and environmental damage through vivid, emotion-laden writing in both English and Pijin. Who am I?
Answer
Jully (Sipolo) Makini
Riddle 48
I’m a journal launched in 1969 as one of the first literary publications showcasing writing from across Melanesia including early works by famed authors like John Saunana. What groundbreaking digest am I?
Answer
The Pacific writing forum Mana
Wildcard Riddles
Riddle 49
Located outside Honiara, I’m a cultural village that showcases traditional music, dance, arts, and architecture from across the diverse Solomon Islands. What educational destination am I?
Answer
Museum Happy Isles
Riddle 50
First held in 1969 in Honiara, I’m a popular multi-sport competition between top athletes from across Melanesia. Held every 4 years, I help strengthen ties between Pacific nations. What regional athletics event am I?
Answer
The Melanesian Games
Riddle 51
I’m an agricultural pest accidentally introduced in the Solomon Islands around 2007 which damages palm plantations and ravages crops like taro and cassava
