Obwisana Rock-Passing Game

A traditional game from Ghana in which the group, seated in a circle, passes stones (here, beanbags) to the beat of a folk song. Students develop rhythm, hand–voice coordination, shared attention, and knowledge of games from other cultures.

How to play

1. Seat students in 2 circles of 12 or 13, shoulder to shoulder, each with a beanbag on the floor in front of them (1 min).
2. Explain that this game comes from Ghana and its song is about a child who hurts a finger playing with stones. Teach the “Obwisana” melody in parts, patting the beat on the thighs (3 min).
3. Two-beat movement: on beat one, pick up your beanbag; on beat two, set it in front of the person on your right. Practice slowly, saying “pick up, put down” (2 min).
4. Combine song and movement, speeding up once the circle goes all the way around without a pileup. Add challenges: reverse direction, eyes closed, or singing silently. If beanbags pile up, redistribute and keep going (7 min).
5. Standing finish: the same pass with a side step to the right on every beat (2 min).

Rules

• Set the beanbag down; never throw it.
• Pick up only the beanbag in front of you.
• Respect the song as part of another culture, with no teasing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: play from a chair with the beanbag on a low table or bench.
• Hearing impairment: a neighbor taps the beat gently on the student's shoulder.
• Coordination level: start by patting the beat and join the passing when ready.

Learning goals

• Keep a shared rhythm by coordinating hands and song.
• Learn about and appreciate a traditional African game.
• Pay attention to the group so the game keeps flowing.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Beanbags: 25

Teacher tip

Start very slowly; what matters is the whole circle moving together, not speed. Ask anyone who gets stuck to keep singing and rejoin on the next phrase.

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