WHAT IF YOU COULD USE YOUR VILLAGE PEOPLE TO PLAY?

A wild card game rooted in African folklore is flipping game night upside down and its creator Babafemi tells us how it all began.

From Headaches to Hexes: Meet Your Village People

It started with a headache. The type that creeps in out of nowhere and makes you wonder if someone from your mother’s side has lit a candle in your name.

For Babafemi, that weird tension behind his eyes turned into something magical Your Village People, a wickedly fun, folklore-fueled card game that’s taking over game nights across Nigeria (and beyond). The name? Unmistakably African. The gameplay? Vicious. The vibe? Pure chaos.

“It brings out the playful wicked side we all have inside,” Babafemi says, laughing.

How the Game Works (And Why It Might Ruin Your Friendships)

Your Village People is not your typical card game. It’s built on risk, betrayal, counterattacks, and vibes. You’ll be throwing spiritual shade at your friends, laying traps, and blocking curses like it’s a family WhatsApp group gone rogue.

One moment, you’re on top. Next, someone uses Odeshi and bounces your juju right back to you. It’s giving war. It’s giving ancestral beef. It’s giving I no go gree.

But beyond the mischief, the game is intentionally strategic. Every card plays into a larger power dynamic and the fun is in how quickly the tide can turn.

“Village People” as Pop Culture — But Make It Playable

If you’re Nigerian, you already know your “village people” aren’t villagers. They’re the metaphors for silent sabotage, generational beef, and bad vibes in general. That cousin who never congratulates you? That uncle that says “you go see” at Christmas? Yep. Them.

Babafemi takes that superstition and flips it. Instead of fear, the game encourages laughter, scheming, and bonding over a shared cultural joke. In a way, or at least hilarious.

“We wanted it to feel familiar but also ridiculous,” he says “ That tension between belief and banter that’s where the magic lives.”

Behind the Game: Painkillers, Friendship, and Spontaneity

The game didn’t come from a pitch deck or a brainstorm session. It came from a moment of pain.

“It came from a severe headache... I thought it would end me lol,” Babafemi recalls.

Instead of resting, he started sketching ideas. A quick call to his friend Timeyin, and boom the concept took shape. Soon, they were playtesting with friends, refining cards, and designing artwork that looked like a Nollywood fever dream.

From pure chaos came structure. From a headache came a hit.

Indie Games in Nigeria: The Scene is Growing

Let’s be real Nigeria isn’t known for a booming board game scene. Most game nights are still stuck on Ludo, Scrabble, or that one cousin’s broken Monopoly set.

But Babafemi wants to change that.

“Every day I get a message from someone who has an idea for a game…”

He believes local stories deserve local platforms. Games, he says, can be powerful storytelling tools and tools for laughter, connection, and cultural preservation.

The Big Move: A Kickstarter, A Dream, and A Plan

Your Village People is currently live on Kickstarter, and the reception? Strong.

Babafemi credits the growth to mentorship, good vibes, and the power of community. He doesn’t claim to have it all figured out but he’s betting on authenticity, chaos, and creativity.

“If one person loves YVP, I’ll be overjoyed… But I hope we knock it out of the park.”

He also teases future expansions, themed spin-offs, and (maybe?) a digital version down the line. The world of YVP is just getting started.

Why You Should Play It (Or At Least Watch People Play)

Because it’s smart. It’s silly. It’s spiritually unserious. And because it’s one of the few Nigerian games that’s equal parts funny and functional.

It doesn’t just celebrate culture it weaponizes it (in the most unserious way possible).

So whether you’re game night royalty or just want to watch your friends beef over imaginary spiritual warfare, this one’s worth a try.