For generations, "Kura ya kura ya" was a play song of children and women among the Dagbamba of northern Ghana, chanted in evening circles. The song has ancient roots, meant to sharpen young minds, steer children away from social vices, and teach them moral lessons. The game is played with a pile of stones, one for each player, and a leader is chosen by acclamation. The leader sets a rhythm and introduces themselves in turn, reconnecting with great ancestors.
The game develops all three learning domains of Bloom's Taxonomy, including cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills. Players must memorize the song and its rules, keep the rhythm, and coordinate movement and song. The game also carries deep moral lessons, teaching selflessness, discouraging greed, and training the mind to be sharp. The game ends with a short song about the grasshopper carrying its belongings, a reminder that opportunities can slip away through procrastination.
However, when the song went global, the internet got the words wrong, with various versions appearing online, including "kuriya kuriya," "kurijenjen," and "kura ya kuraya, kur jen jen." The Dagbamba say "kura ya kura ya, kur jai jai," and in Dagbanli, "kura" means to pound or knock, and "ya" means to separate or drive away. The "u" in "kura" is pronounced like the Spanish "u."
American streamer IShowSpeed, also known as Darren Watkins Jr., visited Ghana on January 25, 2026, as part of his "Speed Does Africa" tour. During his visit, he played "Kura ya kura ya" at the Shea Butter Museum, owned by Hamamat Montia, where he was reconnecting with his African roots. The moment was a cultural rediscovery and pride, and a call to rethink how Ghana promotes and preserves its identity.
Hamamat Montia's creativity highlighted the value of Ghanaian oral tradition and the need for a conscious effort to keep it from fading into obscurity. Her passion for preserving the shea tree, cultural pride, girl-child education, and ambassadorial work promoting Ghanaian skincare and beauty worldwide was on display. The event showed that people from many walks of life are now interested in Ghana's culture.
The global attention on "Kura ya kura ya" has sparked interest in revisiting Ghana's oral songs and games. Schools could adapt them for lessons and play, and custodians of oral tradition could be brought together to record and share their knowledge online. Young people could be encouraged to develop a taste for indigenous culture, and supporters' unions could cheer national teams with these songs at home and abroad.
The preservation of Ghana's oral tradition requires a collective effort, and the attention on "Kura ya kura ya" is a step in the right direction. By promoting and preserving Ghana's cultural heritage, the country can showcase its rich identity to the world. The government, cultural institutions, and individuals must work together to ensure that Ghana's oral tradition continues to thrive for generations to come.
Key points
- The traditional Ghanaian children's game "Kura ya kura ya" has gained global attention after American streamer IShowSpeed played it during his visit to Ghana.
- The game develops cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills and teaches moral lessons.
- The internet got the words of the song wrong, with various versions appearing online.
