Chika Waga
Also known as: Chikawaga · Shicawaga · Is This the First Meme of 2024?
Chika Waga is a viral comedy skit from January 2024 in which a young boy declares "the first meme of 2024" by exclaiming "Chika Waga!" after watching his brother fall down. Originally posted by the YouTube channel BolingBros, the clip picked up over 19 million views and became an ironic touchstone for meme quality discourse throughout 2024.
TL;DR
Chika Waga is a viral comedy skit from January 2024 in which a young boy declares "the first meme of 2024" by exclaiming "Chika Waga!" after watching his brother fall down.
Overview
Origin & Background
How It Spread
How to Use This Meme
Chika Waga works in two main ways:
Direct quote/reference: Post or comment "Chika Waga!" in response to something that feels like a forced or self-proclaimed meme. The phrase is typically used to mock content that tries too hard to be viral.
Quality comparison: Compare another meme to Chika Waga to signal that it's bottom-tier. Something like "this is giving Chika Waga energy" or posting the clip alongside weak content. The ironic framing of the original video (declaring itself "the first meme of 2024") makes it a natural yardstick for meme ambition vs. meme quality.
Repost/remix: Take the original clip and edit it into other contexts. The "Bite the Curb" mashup is the most well-known example, but the format is open to any combination that plays off the kid's earnest delivery.
Cultural Impact
Fun Facts
The phrase "Chika Waga" has no known meaning. It appears to be a nonsense exclamation made up on the spot by the kid in the video.
The original video hit 19 million views in six months, making it one of BolingBros' biggest uploads.
The meme has at least three common spellings: Chika Waga, Chikawaga, and Shicawaga.
The June 2024 repost on X by @0rbulus gained 33,000 likes in three days, outpacing the initial Reddit spread.
Frequently Asked Questions
References (3)
- 1
- 2Chika Waga - Know Your Memeencyclopedia
- 3Ariadne in the Blue Skyencyclopedia