Ghanaian Games

A "Taste" of Ghana
  • Ghana has many different tribes. For example, Ashanti, Ewe, Fante, Ga ect.
  • Ghana became the first black colony to win independence.
  • About a quarter of the people live in poverty, in areas ranging from the dry rolling northern savanna to the humid forests of the southwest.
Da Ga

Number of Players
12 to 20 children

Recommended ages
8-12 years old

Origin
This game is from Ghana. Da Ga means "boa constrictor" which is found rarely in the United States.

How to Play

  1. Make an area about 10 feet square on the ground. This is called the " Home of the Snake".
  2. Choose one player to stand inside the "Home of the Snake." All the other players should surround this person.
  3. The first player reaches out and tries to touch any of the players. If touched, that player joins the player on the inside. The two hold hands and and then reach out (using only the free hand) to try and touch the other players.
  4. The remaining players must stay close to the outside of the home of the snake. While they are on the outside, they can sing, dance, or skip to avoid the players in the circle.
  5. The last player left begins to form a new snake in the next game.

Source: Hopson, Dr. Darlene Powell, Hopson, Dr. Derek S., and Clavin, Thomas. "Juba This and Juba That" Simmon and Schuster, 1996.  p. 39

Ampe

Number of Players
10-12 children

Recommended ages
 8-12

Origin
This game comes from Ghana. It is a game that helps with coordination and agility. (Great for P.E.)

How to Play

  1. Choose one player to be the leader, and the others stand in a semicircle, with the leader facing the player at either end of the group.
  2. The leader and the player both clap hands. Then they jump in place at the same time. Then they jump and thrust one foot forward.
  3. If the two have put the same foot forward, the leader is out and the player takes her place. If they have thrust a different feet forward, the leader moves to the next player and the same routine begins.
  4. A point is scored every time the leader is successful. Every player takes a turn as a leader. The one who scores the most points wins.

Source: Hopson, Dr. Darlene Powell, Hopson, Dr. Derek S., and Clavin, Thomas. "Juba This and Juba That" Simmon and Schuster, 1996.  p. 17

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