Bojú Bojú

A journey back to childhood through a traditional Yoruba nursery rhyme. This story explores how songs, games, and shared memories can preserve a sense of home, carrying cultural identity across time and distance.

STORIES FROM ITALY

6/24/20261 min read

I celebrate the power of oral traditions and childhood memories. Songs like Bojú Bojú are more than simple nursery rhymes, they are vessels of culture, carrying stories, emotions, and a sense of belonging across generations.

Boju boju

O Oloro nbo

O Epara mo

O Se ki nsi?

Si si sin sii

Eni to loro ba mu a pa je O

I come from Nigeria, and some of my strongest memories are not tied to images but to sounds. Certain melodies and voices have remained with me over the years, carrying emotions and memories that no photograph could fully capture. Among them is Bojú Bojú, a traditional Yoruba nursery rhyme that accompanied many afternoons of play during my childhood.

As children, we gathered in the courtyards until sunset, playing hide-and-seek, chasing one another, and singing together. The rhythm of the song guided our games as voices overlapped in laughter and excitement. Someone was always laughing louder than the others, while hands clapped to keep the beat. These moments created a sense of freedom, joy, and belonging that defined an important part of growing up.

Around us, everyday life continued. Women called us from their homes as they prepared meals, inviting us inside, while we pretended not to hear so that we could stay outside just a few minutes longer. Those familiar voices, the smell of food being cooked, and the sound of children playing became part of a shared community experience that remains vivid in my memory.

Today, many things have changed, and life has taken me far from those childhood courtyards. Yet Bojú Bojú still lives within me. Sometimes I find myself quietly repeating its words without even realizing it. The song has become a bridge between past and present, connecting me to my language, my culture, and the carefree moments of childhood.

HERS

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hers@odyssea.com