The Shea Butter Heist: Why Nigerian Spas are Copying Ghana’s “Kuriya Kuriya” Trend (And Why it Matters)
The Shea Butter Heist: Can You Really Copy "Kuriya Kuriya"?
If you’ve been on TikTok or YouTube in the last month, you’ve heard the chant: "Kuriya, Kuriya, Kuriya!" It’s rhythmic, it’s soulful, and it’s the heartbeat of the Shea Butter Museum in Ghana, owned by the iconic Hamamat Montia. But recently, a video surfaced of a Lagos-based spa doing the exact same thing—from the traditional pots to the specific massage strokes—and the internet has officially lost its mind.
The Blueprint: How Hamamat Changed the Game
Before we talk about the "copycats," we have to acknowledge the original. Hamamat Montia didn't just sell shea butter; she sold an experience. When global megastar IShowSpeed visited Ghana in early 2026, his "Kuriya Kuriya" session went viral to over 50 million people. It was raw, authentic Ghanaian culture.
It wasn't just a massage; it was a "home game" for Ghanaian heritage.
The "Why": Why Did the Nigerian Spa Copy It?
So, why would a Nigerian spa in Lagos recreate the exact aesthetic instead of building their own? Here are the three main reasons:
The "Viral" Shortcut: In the creator economy, "originality" is expensive, but "trending" is free. By using the "Kuriya Kuriya" name and aesthetic, the Nigerian spa tapped into a pre-built search algorithm. They didn't want to build a brand; they wanted to catch a wave.
The "Naija" Hustle: Nigeria is known for taking a concept and scaling it. However, there’s a thin line between "inspiration" and "identity theft." When you take the specific chants and cultural markers of a different tribe/nation, it feels less like a business move and more like a foul play.
Lack of Intellectual Property (IP) in Wellness: Unlike a football club’s logo, a "vibe" or a "chant" is hard to trademark. The Nigerian spa knew they could get away with the "Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V" approach without legal repercussions—only the "court of public opinion."
The "Extra Time" Verdict: A Tactical Foul
In football, if you copy a player's signature celebration (think Ronaldo’s "Siu" or Mbappé’s crossed arms), it’s seen as a tribute. But if you try to claim you invented it? That’s where you get the red card.
By copying the "Kuriya Kuriya" trend so blatantly, the Nigerian spa has missed an opportunity to showcase Nigerian traditions. Nigeria has incredible wellness secrets—from the North to the Delta—that could have been turned into their own viral moment.
Instead of a "remix," we got a "bootleg."
The Big Question: Is this just "friendly banter" between sister nations, or is it a symptom of a deeper problem where we don't respect each other's cultural boundaries?
What do you think? Should the Nigerian spa apologize, or is all "fair in love and business"? Drop a comment below!
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