The African continent, people, and cultures would easily fill up a whole set of multiple-choice questions for a trivia game. So, we thought we would put together some trivia questions and answers on the second largest continent in the world.
Africa Trivia
So, let’s test out your African trivia knowledge first off with a few trivia Africa residents and enthusiasts should know.
- There are 54 countries in the African continent.
- The largest city in Africa is Kinshasa.
- The Sahara Desert in Egypt is the largest desert in the world.
- Africa is sandwiched by two Oceans, the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean.
- The African City of Cape Town is also known as “The Mother City.
Africa Trivia Questions and Answers
Here’s an Africa quiz that should be able to challenge your Africa knowledge. Go at it alone or with a friend and see how many you’ll be able to complete. All the best to you!
Click on the blurred area to reveal the answer.
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Questions | Answers |
---|---|
How many Olympic Games have been hosted in Africa? | â–¶ Zero |
What is the largest lake in Africa? | â–¶ Lake Victoria |
South Africa completely surrounds which other African nation? | â–¶ Lesotho |
SpaceX was founded by what South African-born inventor? | â–¶ Elon Musk |
What dish, made from crushed durum wheat, is a staple of western North Africa? | â–¶ Couscous |
Which sea separates the East African coast and the Saudi Arabian peninsula? | â–¶ Red Sea |
The port city of Luanda is the capital city of which African country? | â–¶ Angola |
What holiday, celebrated December 26 to January 1, is named after the Swahili word for “first”? | â–¶ Kwanzaa |
What African country was officially known as Zaire between 1971 and 1997? | â–¶ The Democratic Republic of the Congo |
In terms of geographical area, what is the largest country in Africa? | â–¶ Algeria |
In which century did the Kingdom of Axum convert to Christianity? | â–¶ 4th century |
Which ancient African civilization developed the Ge’ez script? | â–¶ Aksum |
What ancient African kingdom was located in modern-day Ethiopia? | â–¶ Aksum |
What is the largest country in Africa by area? | â–¶ Algeria |
What is the traditional religion of the Zulu people? | â–¶ Ancestor worship |
What is the name of the traditional Somali nomadic house? | â–¶ Aqal |
What is the name of the West African talking drum? | â–¶ Djembe |
Which African civilization was known for the creation of the Benin Bronzes? | â–¶ Edo |
Which ancient African civilization built the Great Pyramid of Giza? | â–¶ Egypt |
What is the official language of Kenya? | â–¶ English |
Which African country was never colonized? | â–¶ Ethiopia |
Which African country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites? | â–¶ Ethiopia |
In which African country is the Gada system, a traditional democratic political system, practiced? | â–¶ Ethiopia |
What is the main religion of Ethiopia? | â–¶ Ethiopian Orthodox Christianity |
In Maasai culture, what is the traditional coming-of-age ceremony for young men called? | â–¶ Eunoto |
Which African religion involves the worship of Vodun spirits? | â–¶ Fon (Benin) |
What is the official language of Senegal? | â–¶ French |
What is the smallest country in mainland Africa? | â–¶ Gambia |
What was the official language of the ancient Aksumite Empire? | â–¶ Ge’ez |
The Kingdom of Mali was famous for its abundant supply of which valuable metal? | â–¶ Gold |
What is the capital city of Zimbabwe? | â–¶ Harare |
Who was the female pharaoh who ruled ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom period? | â–¶ Hatshepsut |
What was the name of the ancient Egyptian writing system? | â–¶ Hieroglyphics |
The Swahili people established trade centers along the coast of which ocean? | â–¶ Indian Ocean |
What is the sacred Zulu dance performed during ceremonies and celebrations? | â–¶ Indlamu |
What is the traditional Ethiopian bread made from teff flour? | â–¶ Injera |
What is the main religion of Senegal? | â–¶ Islam |
What is the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony called? | â–¶ Jebena |
What is the name of the Ghanaian cloth with colorful and symbolic patterns? | â–¶ Kente |
What is the traditional Malian string instrument with 21 strings? | â–¶ Kora |
What is the name of the Kenyan festival celebrating music, food, and fashion? | â–¶ Koroga Festival |
What was the capital city of the ancient Ghana Empire? | â–¶ Kumbi Saleh |
The Kingdom of Axum conquered which ancient African kingdom around 350 AD? | â–¶ Kush |
Which African city is the most populous? | â–¶ Lagos |
What is the largest lake in Africa? | â–¶ Lake Victoria |
The Garamantes were an ancient civilization located in which modern-day country? | â–¶ Libya |
Which African ethnic group is known for their traditional beadwork? | â–¶ Maasai |
Which African island nation is known for its unique flora and fauna? | â–¶ Madagascar |
In Moroccan culture, what is the name of the traditional mint tea? | â–¶ Maghrebi |
Which ancient African civilization constructed the Great Mosque of Djenné? | ▶ |
In which African country is Timbuktu located? | â–¶ [blur toggle=click]Mali |
Who was the famous Mali emperor who made a pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324? | â–¶ Mansa Musa |
What is the name of the traditional Maasai dwelling? | â–¶ Manyatta |
Which African musical genre originated in South Africa in the early 20th century? | â–¶ Marabi |
What African country is home to the Atlas Mountains? | â–¶ Morocco |
What is the highest peak in Africa? | â–¶ Mount Kilimanjaro |
Which African people are known for their lip plate tradition? | â–¶ Mursi |
In which African country is the Sossusvlei, a salt and clay pan surrounded by high red dunes, located? | â–¶ Namibia |
In which African country is the cultural festival called Gerewol celebrated? | â–¶ Niger |
Which African country has the largest population? | â–¶ Nigeria |
Which African country is known for the Yoruba people and their beliefs? | â–¶ Nigeria |
Which major African river did the ancient Egyptian civilization depend on? | â–¶ Nile |
What is the longest river in Africa? | â–¶ Nile |
Which ancient African kingdom was famous for its terracotta sculptures? | â–¶ Nok |
What is a traditional Nigerian dish made from yams and often served with soups or stews? | â–¶ Pounded yam |
Which ancient African civilization created the Merotic script? | â–¶ Nubia |
What was the main religion of the ancient Carthaginian civilization? | â–¶ Punic polytheism |
What African country is known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills”? | â–¶ Rwanda |
What is the largest desert in Africa? | â–¶ Sahara |
What was the primary trading commodity of the ancient city of Carthage? | â–¶ Purple dye |
What is the currency of South Africa? | â–¶ Rand |
What is the traditional Zulu greeting that means “I see you”? | â–¶ Sawubona |
What is the name of the traditional Masai weapon resembling a short sword? | â–¶ Seme |
Which African country has Lake Retba, known for its pink-colored waters? | â–¶ Senegal |
Which African country is the smallest by area? | â–¶ Seychelles |
The Great Zimbabwe was a city built by which African civilization? | â–¶ Shona |
The ancient Land of Punt was likely located in which modern-day country? | â–¶ Somalia |
In Moroccan culture, what is the traditional name for a market? | â–¶ Souk |
The ancient city of Axum is known for its towering stone monuments called what? | â–¶ Stelae |
Which African country has the highest number of pyramids? | â–¶ Sudan |
What is the world’s longest-running civil war, occurring in Africa? | â–¶ Sudan |
What African country is home to the Serengeti National Park? | â–¶ Tanzania |
What is the name of the traditional Ethiopian honey wine? | â–¶ Tej |
Which ancient African city was a major center of learning and Islamic scholarship? | â–¶ Timbuktu |
The ancient city of Carthage was located in which modern-day country? | â–¶ Tunisia |
What is the name of the South African philosophy that emphasizes humanity and interconnectedness? | â–¶ Ubuntu |
In which country is the source of the Nile River located? | â–¶ Uganda |
In which African country is the cultural practice called “Imbalu,” a circumcision ceremony, performed? | â–¶ Uganda |
Which African country has a dragon’s blood tree, native only to its islands? | â–¶ Yemen (Socotra) |
Which West African religion involves the worship of Orishas? | â–¶ Yoruba |
What is the staple starch in West African cuisine made from oat flour, maize, wheat, plantain, yams, cassava, corn, rice, or semolina? | â–¶ Fufu |
What is the South African dish made of minced meat and spices, topped with an egg and milk mixture, and baked? | â–¶ Bobotie |
What is the name of the Ethiopian stew made with spicy berbere seasoning? | â–¶ Doro wat |
What is the Moroccan dish cooked in a clay pot called a tagine? | â–¶ Tagine |
What is the name of the Nigerian soup thickened with ground seeds, usually served with fufu? | â–¶ Egusi |
What is the Tunisian dish made with layers of thin pastry filled with meat, vegetables, and spices? | â–¶ Brik |
What is the name of the South African dried and cured meat snack? | â–¶ Biltong |
What is the name of the Kenyan dish made from cornmeal? | â–¶ Ugali |
What is the name of the North African semolina-based dish, often served with vegetables and meat? | â–¶ Couscous |
What is the name of the spicy Senegalese fish and rice dish? | â–¶ Thieboudienne |
About the Author
Tim majored in Humanities with a bachelor in English and Theatre at New York State University. He lectured on entertainment business studies for three years at Plymouth College.
Tim has been a trivia host in his current hometown of Pittsburgh for the past two years. He enjoys hanging out with people who love trivia just as much as he does.
His friends call him the Question Master.