Hey travel family!
Let’s be real—there’s something special about learning about games people play in different parts of the world. I’m not just talkin’ about beach volleyball or card games at the hostel. I mean real, cultural, rooted-in-history kinda games. And Ghana?
Let me show you what Ghana has got to offer 🇬🇭🔥
Whether you’re strolling through a local neighborhood in Accra or vibing with kids in a village up north, Ghanaian traditional games are everywhere—and they’re full of energy, strategy, and pure joy. So if you’re visiting Ghana soon (or it’s on your bucket list like it should be), here are a few games you HAVE to try out.
Ampe – The Queen of Playground Games
Okay, this one’s a whole vibe. Ampe is mostly played by girls and is part clapping, part jumping, part psychic powers (lol) because you gotta predict your opponent’s next move. The rules? Pretty simple: two players jump up and throw one leg forward after clapping hands. If both players land with the same leg forward, one player scores. If different? The other scores. It’s fast-paced, full of laughter, and guaranteed to have you sweating in 5 minutes.💃🏾💥
🔥 Pro Tip: Try it out at a local school or park! Ghanaian kids will love teaching you.
Oware – Ghana’s Traditional Board Game
This one is all about strategy. Known across West Africa, Oware (or Awalé) is Ghana’s version of a mancala-style game played with wooden boards and seeds or stones. It looks simple, but don’t get it twisted—Ghanaians take this game seriously.
🎒Bucket list tip: You can buy handmade Oware boards at local craft markets in Accra, Tamale or Cape Coast. Makes the perfect travel keepsake!
“To truly understand a people, play their games.” – African Proverb
Pilolo – Hide & Seek but Make It Ghanaian
“Pilolooo!” You’ll hear this shouted when someone finds the hidden object. In this game, someone hides little sticks or objects, and the others have to find them and race back. It’s fun, chaotic, and totally gives childhood nostalgia even if you never played it before. 💨✨
💡Bucketlist moment: Join a group of kids in a village or community center and play after sunset. Pure magic.
Chaskele – Ghana’s DIY Street Baseball
If baseball had a Ghanaian cousin, this would be it. Kids use crushed cans and sticks, and the goal is to hit the can (aka the ball) when it’s thrown in the air. It’s rough, it’s DIY, and it’s absolutely genius. No fancy gear, just creativity and fun.
"Oware"
"Chaskele"
Over to You!
Have YOU ever played a traditional game while traveling?
Would you dare take on a Ghanaian grandma in Oware or a 9-year-old in Ampe?
Tell me below or hit me up on IG @yourtravelbucketlist – I wanna hear your stories!
post a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.