Traditional Games Catalogue

THE ATTIC PROJECT. A WORLD OF GAMES

INDEX

Introduction

Bulgarian Games

Elastic Cord BU-1

Drop the handkerchief BU-2

Do you sell your pot, old lady? BU-3

Black Peter BU-4

Granny, give me fire! BU-5

Marbles BU-6

Chained Words BU-7

The Cat and the Mouse BU-8

Wizards BU-9

Films BU-10

Danish Games

Introduction

Hide and seek DE-11

Kicking the tin DE-12

Hide & seek the thimble DE-13

Catch me if you can DE-14

Capturing Chains DE-15

Ten-Balls DE-16

Fivestones DE-17

Play Hopscotch DE-18

Swinging the Rope DE-19

The game with a cheese DE-20

Galician Games

Introduction

The Mill GA-21

The Sow GA-22

St. James’ Key GA-23

Wooden pistol GA-24

Hopscotch GA-25

Jackstones GA-26

The Pétanque GA-27

The greased pig GA-28

Hit the Can GA-29

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PLAY, DREAM, LIVE… THE SAME, DIFFERENT

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The Frog GA-30

Galician Bowling GA-31

The Pasa Perico GA-32

The saucepan game GA-33

The saucepan game GA-34

Stilts GA-35

Father-son-mother GA-36

Four corners GA-37

The seaworthy(sea) bargain GA-38

Decotín decotán GA-39

Putt GA-40

Greek Games

The triangle GR-41

The “broken” [rusty] telephone GR-42

A blind fly GR-43

The little bun [the small bread] GR-44

Βiz GR-45

The king GR-46

The little soldiers GR-47

The statues GR-48

The handkerchief in the belt GR-49

The handkerchief in the circle GR-50

The apples GR-51

Latvian Games

Introduction

Fight of cocks LA-52

The wool blowing LA-53

To take a friend LA-54

The unfaithful friend LA-55

To fumble with spoons LA-56

Craftsman LA-57

Haymaking LA-58

To knock off a sticks LA-59

Shecuravens, shecuravens LA-60

Chickens hunt LA-61


There are at least three posible interpretations for the relationship between games and education, which do not always meet eye to eye: the values of the spontaneous and free game in itslef, its manipulation, at different levels, in order to gain from it a specific educational virtuality and, finally, the use of the game from a clearly didactic perspective in order to benefit from it in certain learning practices.

Games, even in their freer and spontaneous versions work as a real parallel school, precisely because they form part of human beings’ actions, movements and participation throughout their lives. In general, changes in life come about due to actions.

By analising live games in his surroundings, the Galician researcher Antón Cortizas discovers the following about traditional games:

- They favour the asumption of our own culture;

- They present solutions for the desire to play for individuals of all ages;

- They are so complete that they practically cover all of the individual’s social learning needs;

- They favour the learning about the knowledge of the individual himself;

- They are integrated in the surroundings of the individual who practises them, because they arise from him and are a basic part of himself;

- They are also attached to adult learning;

- They are creative and adaptable, both in space and time, as are the individuals who take part in them, which allows for modification of rules and therefore for the modification and adaptation of each game if needed. Due to all of this there are no fixed rules leaving us with numerous varieties. Those who take part may also become recreators of the games;

- They have no cost or may be acquired or made easily;

- They favour the participation of family and neighbours , thus integrating the human medium;

- They are universal as they come from particularities;

- Their aim is never the basic competition. In competitive games, the competition is a mere excuse in order to actually play;

- All in all, their aim is the one that the participants set.

Traditional games are close to the medium. They are a part of the traditional culture of each social group; however, far from excluding they tend to integrate. They are not individual but universal. They are not private but public. They are ours and thus they belong to humanity. Both traditional games and

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entertainments are similar, if not identical, as well as in Galicia, in Latvia, Bulgaria, Denmark or Greece... Traditional games are World Cultural Heritage.

The ATTIC Project “Local goes Global” June, 2009

Bulgarian Games


GAME BU-1

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Bulgarian and in English) Игра на ластик (Igra na lastik) / Elastic Cord

2. ELEMENTS NEEDED FOR PLAYING AND MATERIALS

For the game we need only over 3 m of elastic cord, the two ends of which join and make a loop

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Minimum three players

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Usually girls

5. AGE OF PLAYERS From 6 to 11 years old

6. PLACE The game is played outdoors, enough space and flat surface needed

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR All seasons

8. DESCRIPTION OF THE GAME (RULES)

Two girls standing opposite each other holding the elastic cord by legs at different levels (starting from the ankles to the knees). Another girl jumps over the cord making different figures with it at different levels. When she makes a mistake the game is over and it is the next girl’s turn. The winner is the one who reaches the highest level of jumping

9. IS IT STILL PLAYED? IF NOT, WHEN DID IT DISSAPEAR?

Till played

10. IMAGES

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GAME BU-2

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Bulgarian and in English) Пусни, пусни кърпичка (Pusni, pusni kurpichka) / Drop the handkerchief


Cotton handkerchief

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Any number

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Both sexes

5. AGE OF PLAYERS 10 – 12 years of age

6. PLACE Outdoors – the lawn or the school yard

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR The game is played all the year round


The children are sitting in a circle. One player is walking around behind them, holding a handkerchief and trying to play a trick to someone by dropping the handkerchief behind him without being seen. Each child turns back and looks if the handkerchief is behind them. If they have seen the handkerchief, then they grab it and begin running after the player. When the player has been caught the two of them change theirs places and the game begins again.


Disappeared

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GAME BU-3

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Bulgarian and in English) Баби и гърнета (Babi i gurneta) / Do you sell your pot, old lady?


No materials needed for the game

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Odd number of players needed

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Either sex

5. AGE OF PLAYERS Children over 3 years of age

6. PLACE It is played outdoors. Large space is needed

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR All the year round


Half of the players are “old ladies”, the other half are “pots”. One player is “the buyer”

The “pots” squat around making a circle

The “old ladies” stand behind the “pots”. Each old lady should have one pot

The “buyer” shakes hands with “old ladies” and says:

- Do you sell this pot, old lady or you pawn it?

“Old ladies” answer:

- I’ll pawn it. I’ll sell it. But I won’t give it to you.

Then “the buyer” and “the old lady” run to the opposite direction around the circle.

The winner is the player who arrives first to the “pot”. He becomes an “old lady” then. The other one becomes a “buyer” and starts negotiating with another “old lady” etc.

“Old ladies” and “pots” can change their places when one turn is over


It is still played

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GAME BU-4

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Bulgarian and in English) Черен Петър” (Tcheren Petar) / Black Peter


Cards (special set of 12 cards, designed in pairs of two with identical symbols, the 13th card is called “Black Peter” - still sold at the shops)

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS 2 – 4 children

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Both

5. AGE OF PLAYERS Over four years of age

6. PLACE Everywhere

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Not fixed


The players sit around a table. Someone shuffles the cards and deals them out. Each player has cards with special symbols. The aim of the game is to get all the pairs (cards with identical symbols) and to get rid of the Black Peter Card. You take a card from the player on your left. If it is a card with a symbol you already have, you take the pair out. The winner is the one who has taken out all his cards by matching the pairs. The looser is this player who has the “Black Peter Card”. He shall sing a song, otherwise others make up his face with black paint/soot


Still played

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GAME BU-5

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Bulgarian and in English) Бабо, дай ми огънче! (Babo, dai mi ogantche!) / Granny, give me fire!


Fireplace

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Not fixed

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Both

5. AGE OF PLAYERS Little children (3-7 years of age)

6. PLACE Indoors. At home, in front the fireplace

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Autumn and winter


The game began in the past, in the evenings of the cold months of the year when the family was having fun around the fire place. The grandmother used to put her hands and fingers in the shape of a hut. The children used to sit opposite her. One of them pointed at her little fingers and said: “Please granny, give me fire”

She answered: “Go on, go upwards.”

It was repeated gain and again towards the top of the hut and down, until the child got to the last finger and the large opening between the index finger and the thumb and asked:

- What’s that black thing in front the fireplace, granny?

- This is the priest’s cap ! Please, come in, get some fire, don’t be afraid! – she answered.

Suddenly she strongly caught the child’s hand. The aim is to surprise the child, may be frighten him a little bit, but finally to impress him and stimulate his imagination


Dissapearing. It started disappearing some thirty years ago. A small number of people know it today!

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GAME BU-6

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Bulgarian and in English) Игра на топчета / Marbles


Marbles


4. SEX OF PLAYERS Usually boys

5. AGE OF PLAYERS 6-14 years of age

6. PLACE Outdoors

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Spring, summer, autumn


Marbles is a game in which a marble is propelled by the thumb at other marbles, usually in attempt to drive them out of a previously marked circle. A marble is a little ball of stone, glass, clay or steel, used in this game.

The players make a circle on the playground with a piece of chalk. Then they place 10 to 12 marbles inside the circle. The aim of the game is to get all of the marbles out of the circle. The target marble is propelled by the player's thumb at the other marbles. The first player, who must stay at a distance of about 1-2 meters away of the circle, attempts to do it. If he succeeds, he shoots again, if not, the next player will continue. The winner is the one who succeeds to gather the most marbles


Dissapearing but still played in the small towns and villages

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GAME BU-7

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Bulgarian and in English) Игра на думи / Chained Words


Not needed



5. AGE OF PLAYERS No restrictions

6. PLACE Outdoors or indoors

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR All the year round


The first player begins the game with one word, e. g. HOUSE. The second player must find a word beginning with the last 2 letters of the word "house" (SE), e.g. SENTENCE. And so on. Any player who does not find a correct word is out of the game, e. g. CARE- RESTAURANT. (Do you know words beginning with "NT"?). The game may continue until there is one winner.

Another version of the game (easier) is to think of a word starting with the last letter of the previous word


Still played

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GAME BU-8

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Bulgarian and in English) Котка и мишка (Kotka i mishka) / The Cat and the Mouse


Not needed




6. PLACE Outdoors



The children are standing in a circle holding each other’s hands. In the center there is a child, who is “the mouse”, and outside there is another one who is” the cat”.

The game starts. “The cat” must catch “the mouse”. The players from the circle are making the job of “the mouse” much easier allowing him to go into and out of the circle by raising their hands. On the contrary, they have to stop “the cat” from passing through the circle. If” the cat” catches “the mouse”, the leader of the game will choose other two children to be “the cat” and “the mouse”. The same thing happens when “the cat” cannot catch “the mouse” in a certain time


Still played but by little children only

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GAME BU-9

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Bulgarian and in English) Фокусници / Wizards


Not needed

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS About 4



6. PLACE Outdoors



Four or more children can take part in this game. One must run after others and try to touch them. If this child touches you, you have to stay where you and cry: "Help me!" The other children try to touch you and then you are free and can run away again. The game is over when all the children have been caught


Still played

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GAME BU-10

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Bulgarian and in English) Игра на филми / Films


Not needed



5. AGE OF PLAYERS All ages

6. PLACE Outdoors and indoors

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR All seasons


One player names the alphabet but to himself. When the others say "Stop!" he pronounces a letter out loudly and all the others try to give a name of a movie starting with the same letter. It can be a name of a city or a song or a river etc. Those who have given a name continue with the game, others drop out. The last one is the winner


Still played

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Danish Games


The A.T.T.I.C.-Projekt between Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece, Latvia and Spain is a project under The Grundtvig Programme and in due respect to N.S.F. Grundtvig (1783-1872), his ideas and work, the Programme bears the motto of ‘Lifelong Learning’.

The A.T.T.I.C.-Projekt is devoted to subjects such as handicrafts, story-telling, dancing and games and to the idea of ‘local goes global’.

This paper will alone deal with the games people play – in the simple meaning of the word.

Throughout History the traditions for games people play have shown certain qualities:

The main cause of playing is socialising with people in a simple and natural way.

The games we play with one another may change over time according to our personal conditions and abilities.

Lifelong Learning and Teaching of how to play have always been of interest to children, to the young people, to the parents as well as to the grandparents or even grand-grand parents.

But is also an amusement to everyone, too!

Playing with one another is a way of learning how other people think and react.

By taking parts in teaching and learning how to play, you have to act according fixed rules, if you want to participate in playing with the others. Obeying the rules goes for everyone. If you deliberately destruct the rules, you take a great risk of getting yourself excluded!

Playing and dealing with other people is a way of teaching and learning how to organise certain games. Organising is an aspect of life, which you might need as well.

Practising is a keyword in playing games. The other participants are your so called sparring partners – just as it is in the boxer’s game – as in your life.

You will have to practice in order to learn the rules of the game, and in trying to get better or the best, you will have to practice in order to develop both your intellectual powers and your physical abilities to improve your personal style.

It is lifelong training and learning being capable of playing games with other people. Throughout history people have been doing games as a tradition. The elder generations have taught the younger how to do the games. If the game was too complicated for somebody to participate, the rules were often made simpler or more complicated to avoid the participants from getting bored. The tradition of games is a matter of great flexibility.

Until late in the nineteenth century games were a part of folklore tradition in Denmark as well as in other parts of Europe.

This knowledge had been passed on from generation to generation simply by teaching and learning but most of all by practising the tradition.

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Late in the 19th century a new society was coming. Among other things people were more inclined to move and settle far from where they were born. A few people saw what this meant to tradition and began recollecting all sorts of memories, which had survived – more or less – in peoples memories from one generation to the other. A enormous work has been done – and though the recollections have since been kept in The National Museum or in The Royal Library, both in Copenhagen, and are still available to research – during the latest forty years the archives has not been the given the attention, which they deserve. The A.T.T.I.C.- Programme is a way out of this oblivion!

Inger Heldbjerg Busk


GAME DE-11

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Danish and in English) Gemme / Hide and seek


No elements or materials needed

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS From 2-10 or more participants

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Boys & girls (mixed or un-mixed)

5. AGE OF PLAYERS From 3-4 years old and as long as you still like the idea of the game

6. PLACE Everywhere; the participants make arrangements for place/space

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR No season; depends on the weather and the space available


The seeker must count loudly the numbers from 1-100, while the others hide somewhere. The one who is found at first (a bad hider) is to be the next seeker. The seeker in the first game may be chosen by some line of nonsense


It is still played – but mostly among school children and as an outdoor activity

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GAME DE-12

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Danish and in English) Spark til dåsen/bøtten / Kicking the tin – Hide & seek the Crown (Krone-gemme) A variation with the same idea and more complicated than DE-11


A tin – no tool except a line/verse, which is to be cried out loudly at the seeker’s corner: 1-2-3-crowns for (the persons name)

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS 3-4 min until about 10 persons. Depending on age, time to spend playing the game

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Not fixed

5. AGE OF PLAYERS Children and teenagers

6. PLACE Outdoor activity; see also Index nr. 1

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Any season of the year. Is depending on the weather and the space available


Hide & seek is still the main idea, but the tin makes the game more complex and amusing: The seeker has to kick the tin and cry out the name of the of the person just found. Another person, who has already been found, may set another person free to hide again. You can not set yourself free. The seeker may prevent the new hiding by kicking the tin before the person gets invisible


? – the game is more likely to get played when the potential players are already living near one another, and even are about the same age

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GAME DE-13

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Danish and in English) Gemme fingerbøl / Hide & seek the thimble


A thimble – often the grandmother’s

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Min 2, but 3-5 or even more

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Boys and girls

5. AGE OF PLAYERS One adult often seen participating, else kids aged 4-9

6. PLACE The sitting-room or in a quiet room

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR All seasons when kids are to be looked after


One person is left alone in the room in order to hide the thimble. Prearrangements are made between the participants whether the thimble should be visible, slightly visible or all-hidden. Whether it is allowed to hide the thimble higher than ? meters/lower than ? meters in the room. If it takes too long finding the thimble, the hider may give some help by saying ‘It’s getting colder’ as the seeker moves searching for the thimble. Or the hider might say: ‘Now you are burning your nose off of you!’ The game in over, when the thimble has been found, and it is now the finder’s turn to hide the thimble


It’s in process of disappearing, but the grandparent’s generation still knows how to play the game, because the have been participating themselves

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GAME DE-14

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Danish and in English) Catch me if you can / take captives (Fange/Tagfat) Several different names are known from all parts of Denmark


No elements or material

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS From 4 to ? persons


5. AGE OF PLAYERS Children mostly, teenagers and adults – people who likes running

6. PLACE A place, a lawn where you can run

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Almost all seasons


One person ‘is the one’ who is trying to catch one of the others. Somewhere is a ‘refuge’ or ‘home’ (‘helle’ – in danish), where you might rest and cannot be taken captive. But you have to risk your life, if you don’t you are spoiling the game. The one, who is caught, is to be the new catcher


Still played game

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GAME DE-15

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Danish and in English) ‘Capturing Chains’ (Lænkefange). Variation of DE-14


No elements or materials

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS 10-20 or more


5. AGE OF PLAYERS Children, teenagers or adults

6. PLACE A large place, a schoolyard or lawn where you can run

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR All seasons – esp. during spring and summer


One person starts by catching somebody. Holding hands they go together trying to catch a third person. The three of them continue as a chain, but in catching the forth person, they are allowed to split up into two chains with the same cause: catch more participants so that the newly made chain can split and catch even more participants


It disappeared in the 1970th, when the schoolyards in Denmark were split into smaller places with tables and benches. ‘The Great Show’, where suddenly almost every pupil were struck by the idea of participating in ‘Capturing Chains’ was no longer possible

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GAME DE-16

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Danish and in English) Ti-bold / Ten-Balls


A tennis ball

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS One or several

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Not fixed, but mostly girls

5. AGE OF PLAYERS From 4-5 years until teenage – even adults can participate. They have already learned how to do it

6. PLACE A wall or a terrace



One participant throws the ball against the wall, and she is to catch the ball before it hits the ground, but before even catching, she has to clap her hands. The second time she throws the ball, she has to clap twice, and so forth up to ten. If you forgets something, she must start again or leave the ball to the next person.

You may also do the following:

1) Throw the ball against the wall and catch it.

2) Throw the ball into the air, throw it by your hand against the wall at catch it.

3) Throw the ball against the wall, cross your hands over your breast, before you catch it.

4) Throw the ball against the wall, clap your hands in front and behind your back, before catching it.

5) Hold your one hand on your shoulder or against your nose. Throw the ball right into the air, throw it against the wall, using the arm through your elbow.

6)Lift your right leg and throw the ball against the wall, but this time under your leg and catch it.

7) Throw the ball against the wall, turn around before catching it.

8) Throw the ball - behind your own back - against the wall and catch it.

9) Throw the ball against the wall. Before catching the ball, the catcher has to squat down and get up again.

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10) As no. 6, but you have to clap your hands both over and under your leg, before catching the ball


Playing these kind of games with balls like tennis balls have survived. Their popularity seems to be rising?

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GAME DE-17

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Danish and in English) Terre / Fivestones


Fivestones, 5 dice, small stones

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS 1, but 2 or 3 or even more


5. AGE OF PLAYERS Children, teenagers or adults

6. PLACE At the table or on the ground. Doesn’t take up much space

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Any season of the year


It is a game well-known through out history. The first games of Terre were made out of bones from the spine of a small animal. (The Terre measure about 15-18mm). You begin placing the 5 dice at the table or on the ground. The first person throws one Terre into the air, grabs another one and catches the first one, before is has landed. And without touching the other 3 Terre. If he succeeds, he is now throwing the 2 into the air, taking the third into his hand and should now be able to catch the two (with the same hand) coming down from the air – but before they have landed. Then 3 Terres are thrown into the air, the fourth picked up… and so further. All 5 Terres have be picked up. If he does not succeed, the next person will have a go. It will be his turn until he makes a failure. Like the game with the ball it can be made more difficult if you have to clap your hands, or placing the Terres one after the other on the back of your hand.


Rare, but still a played. Somebody thinks it’s for specialists only

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GAME DE-18

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Danish and in English) Hinke i Paradis / Play Hopscotch


A piece chalk and a hopscotch

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS 2 or more persons

4. SEX OF PLAYERS More girls than boys do it, and the boys often play together with girls

5. AGE OF PLAYERS 6-12 years

6. PLACE Places where you can draw the Hopscotch. Asphalt ground, tile floor

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Spring/ Summer


The rectangle is to be large enough for the feet who will set foot in the 8 squares, but on the other hand not so large, that they cannot get ‘hopped across’ by legs of a certain length and strength.

The form of the rectangle resembles the form of a letter box (i.e. at least in Denmark) or you might say it looks like a foot with a broad heel: The smaller rectangles 1, 2, and 3 are from heel to under the middle of the foot. Number 4, 5, 6 and 7are placed in triangles (5 and 6 on resp. the left and right side of the foot. Number 8, called Paradise, resembles the toes. Playing Hopscotch is well known in many countries, and the one presented here is a tradition used 100 years ago and later. When you start you begin by putting the Hopscotch into sq. 1, either by hand or by foot. And you always hop on one foot. That goes for getting into sq. 1, too. Then you push the Hopscotch out of the square. You are only allowed to push once in each square. If it is left lying across the line, you have lost your turn of reaching Paradise for a moment or more.

The goal is sq. 8, Paradise. It is hardly obtainable and so it is in Hopscotch as well. You have to get the Hopscotch into sq. 8 three times and then hop into sq. 8 and then push out the Hopscotch, before Paradise is reached!


During the latest 30-40 years Hopscotch was disappearing from the school-yards, but is seen here and there in schools as well as in residential properties

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GAME DE-19

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Danish and in English) Sjippe / Skipping ; Hoppe i 8-tal/ Swinging the Rope


A rope (if you skip alone, the length depends on your height – to some extend). If you are jumping in circles like an 8, the rope must be 4-5m long and 0,1-0,15m in diam.

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS 1- 2 for skipping. At least 2 + 6-10 for jumping in 8


5. AGE OF PLAYERS Children and Teenagers. Adults as well?

6. PLACE In the school(-yard), on asphalt, on tile floor, on the lawn + space enough to swing the rope and go round the two persons, who are swinging the rope

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Spring and summer


You may skip on your own, but it is more fun skipping with somebody. It is a ‘free’ game or rather a play or an exercise. Those who are skipping together are making the rules according to their abilities, or they ‘push’ each other in trying new methods.

The free style goes for the rope as well. But you get new opportunities, because when you are jumping, you are not swinging the rope, too. It is possible to jump one at a time going round like an 8 figure. You may also jump from two rows - one person from each of the rows – first the one, then the other.

If it goes fluently, it becomes more like a dance!


Both skipping and jumping the rope has suffered during the latest 30-40 years. But skipping is seen several times during the latest springtime! Is it coming again?

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GAME DE-20

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Danish and in English) Navn ubekendt / Legen med osten/ The game with a cheese (name unknown)


Piece of chalk + a ball, 30 cm in diam.

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Not fixed depends on the number of participants


5. AGE OF PLAYERS Mostly children and teenagers

6. PLACE Playground covered with asphalt, tile floor or similar place

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR ? After observing the game from time to time, and in different places, during the last year or so, a group of children and teenagers playing the game this spring, i.e. 2009 have taught me how to do it


A square is drawn for playing the game. It is quared as a piece of paper. The number of squares goes along with the number of participants – except one person. The squares are numbered from 1 to ? . One square has been divided into two parts of which ‘The Cheese’ is the smaller part. When you start playing, the ball must hit ‘the Cheese’. You are only allowed to touch the ball with one hand; you may cross the lines drawn with your feet, but the must only touch inside the numbered squares, following from the figures from 1and up. The one who hits a line or misses the ball, is momentarily ‘out’. That what the lacking square is meant for. When somebody else is convicted because of failure, the already ‘out’, starts again in square 1. I.e. all participants rotate, and the one, who was ready to ‘meet’ the ball, when it got lost in some way, is starting the new round by hitting ‘The Cheese’


Is it a new game or a an old one getting a revival?!

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Galician Games


Galician people have created infinity of ways of giving response to their playful

needs and they had the aptitude, at the same time, to transmit these creations to

the new generations. We speak, from this conviction, about popular Galician

games because we have enovah original creations to show our singularity in the

playful creations. It is also necessary to emphasize also their level of preservation.

The popular games have been created to satisfy a playful need inevitably marked

by the way of living of these people. In the case of Galicia, they have taken root in

their cultural life, but one of their essential virtues is that they allow to be

constantly recreated and modified promoting creativity.

Part of the culture of a community also has to be emphasized her educational

transcendency. Popular games constitute a cultural original creation -they have

been- transmitted from generation to generation, from parents to children, from

grandparents to grandchildren, this transmission implying an interrelationship

between adults and children of great educational value.

35


36


GAME GA-21

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) O Muíño, Alquerque / The Mill


A gameboard and nine counters

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Two

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Either

5. AGE OF PLAYERS Teenagers and adults

6. PLACE Indoors

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Any


This is a board game in which two players play against one another with nine counters each. Once we’ve placed the counters on the board, they may only be moved forward along the marked paths. It is not possible to move them from one place to another by skipping positions or lines. Each time one of the players manages to place three counters on the same line, he or she takes one of the oponent’s counters. The player with only two counters remaining loses


Disappearing

10. IMAGES

37


GAME GA-22

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) A Porca/ The Sow


A stick in the shape of a golf club, traditionally made out of “……….” and a ball (the sow) shaped out of hard wood by using a penknife

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS It depends but not too many

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Male


6. PLACE Outdoors in a big open space

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Winter


Each placer digs a hole in the ground (the grave) around a larger hole to be defended by the swineherd. This player, the leader of the game, would toss the sow into the air and see if it fell into the hole defended by him. If this was so, he would yell:

- Everybody swap!

The rest of the players should swap graves. However, if the swineherd was able to get his stick into one of his oponent’s graves, he would take that position and the palyer with no grave would become the new swineherd.

When the sow doesn’t fall into the central grave, the swineherd will try to get it into any of the other graves. In this case, he swaps places with the owner of the grave. Needless to say that each player defends his grave with his stick. When a player gets the sow in the swineherd’s grave, he yells:

- Hit the dumb sow!

The swapping resumes and the swineherd tries to get a grave as explained previously


No longer played

10. IMAGES

38


GAME GA-23

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) A Chave de Santiago / St. James’ Key


A key ( a long pointed metal piece ) and thick coins or weights (also metalic)

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Pairs

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Male

5. AGE OF PLAYERS Adults

6. PLACE Outdoors



The weights are thrown at the key placed at a distance of 20 to 30 paces. This game is played in pairs although it may be individual

The scoring is complicated and varies all around the country. However, you basically obtain eight points each time you hit the key and one point for the closest weight if no one hits it


Currently played in organised leagues and school championships

10. IMAGES

39


GAME GA-24

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) Tirabalas, tiratacos / Wooden pistol


A piece of elderwood which we empty by using a penknife and some wire. We make another wooden tube with a twig (as straight as possible) so that when we place it inside the elderwood piece a couple of centimetres are left over

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Individual

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Kids

5. AGE OF PLAYERS 6/12- year- olds

6. PLACE Outdoors



We introduce a “bullet” in the emptied elderwood piece and push it to the end. We then proceed to push a second “bullet” in the same way. The air pressure will make the first “bullet” fly out making a sound similar to a real bullet


No longer played

10. IMAGES

40


GAME GA-25

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) A Mariola or O Truco / Hopscotch


A little pebble as a counter and a drawing on the ground made of several squares numbered from 1 to 12, on which to go forward

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Any

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Girls

5. AGE OF PLAYERS 6-12 years old

6. PLACE Outdoors



Each placer starts by throwing a pebble onto the square numbered as 1. Without touching the lines, she will push the pebble trying to place it, one by one, in each of the squares, until she gets to number 12, and then she comes back. Once the pebble is out, she starts again, but this time throwing it to number 2, and doing the same process again. She repeats this once and again, each time throwing it to the next square, until getting to number 12 one more time. Every time the player makes a mistake, she yields the turn to the next


Still played

10. IMAGES

41


GAME GA-26

1. NAME OF THE GAME(In Galician and in English)

Os Pelouros / Jackstones


Five pebbles

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS No more than 5 or 6

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Girls

5. AGE OF PLAYERS 6-12 years old. Teenagers

6. PLACE A flat place outdoors

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Preferably warm seasons


The girls kneel on a circle, and they take turns, until each of them loses, yielding the turn to the next

The pebbles are thrown out to the air, and they try to match them with the outer side of the hand. At least one has to remain on it, and it will becaome the master pebble. Then this master pebble is thrown to the air and, before catching it again, the player catches one of the pebbles from the ground. The process is repeated until catching all the rest

Then the placer picks up the master pebble the same way. The game is played again, but this time taking the pebbles from the ground in pairs.

Then again catching three, and one.

The same, but catching the four of them.

Another master pebble is caught.

The player puts her forefinger and thumb as if they formed a bridge on the ground. Then they throw the master pebble to the air, and they pass one of the other pebbles through the bridge. They repeat the process with them all


Disappearing

10. IMAGES

42


GAME GA-27

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) A Petanca / The Pétanque


Several metal balls around 7 cm wide, and a wooden “boliche” (a smaller ball, similar to a marble)

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Par

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Traditionally men


6. PLACE In an open space, outdoors



It may be played individually or in teams. The first player chooses a place to throw, and he draws a circle around 35-50 cm wide around himself. He then throws the small ball. Immediately afterwards, he or someone from his team will throw the first ball, always trying to place it next to the small ball.

Alter this, the players from the other team throw as many times as necessary until they can place one of their balls nearer the small ball (boliche) than the ball thrown first.

The original team throws again. One point for the team who are able to place one of their balls closer to the small ball. The winning player will initiate the new game by throwing the small ball to the opposite side of the field


It is played currently, and it even exists as a federated sport

10. IMAGES

43


GAME GA-28

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) O Porco Ensebado / The greased pig


A piglet (preferably a boar) and grease

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Any

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Men


6. PLACE An enclosed place, outdoors

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Summer


All the piglet’s body is covered with grease. In turns, each participant tries to grasp the animal in a certain period of time. If he or she cannot do it, then it will be the next participant’s turn. Whoever can catch it will become its owner


Disappearing

10. IMAGES

44


GAME GA-29

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) Tiro á lata / Hit the Can


Its elements are the machine (see picture), a wooden riffle and a “bullet” made out of tyre (now rubber)

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS 5 and up

4. SEX OF PLAYERS It has always been mainly a male game


6. PLACE Outdoors

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR All year round but is most popular towards the end of the summer


The game consists in hitting a can with the rubber piece which is previously placed appropriatley in the wooden riffle and pushed with one’s right or left hand (depending on the player). The rules can be adapted according to the players but are similar to those in real claypigeon shooting


Still played

10. IMAGES

45


GAME GA-30

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) A ra / The Frog


A table with holes and a drawer. The table has a frog on it. Ten tokens

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS 2-6 players that play individually

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Indifferent, although traditionally was a male game


6. PLACE In an open space, traditionally to the side of the taverns



Game of accuracy, especially calm. It consists in the launching of some small disks, from a marked distance, to enter them in the mouth of a settled frog of iron. The frog is placed in a table of wood that has a drawer by under, beside the frog there are different holes and each one of them will have a different punctuation as the difficulty and the previous agreement of the participants


Recovering

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46


GAME GA-31

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) Birlos de lastra / Galician Bowling


To play this game you need:

- Two or more wooden balls of about 2 or 3 kilos and 15 cm/diameter. These balls don’t have holes to hold them as in other varieties of bowling.

- At least 9 ‘birlos’ - normally bulb-shaped pieces of wood of between 7-10 cm high

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Unlimited, but even

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Traditionally, its a game played by men


6. PLACE Outdoors. Every parish used to have their own pitch for ‘birlos’

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR All the year round, depending on weather. It was frequently played on Sundays. Nowadays, it’s often played just in patron’s saint day of every rural village


The game is played in an flat openfield.

The ‘birlos’ are lined up in a row on a flat stone. In front of them and about 2 meters away, the ‘fite’ (the throwing area) is marked.

Behind the ‘birlos’ you draw up two lines:

- The 15-point-line

- The 20-point-line

- A third 30-point-line can be drawn if the place is big enough.

The game is played by single player or by teams.

The goal is to knock down as many ‘birlos’ as possible. And the scoring is as follows:

Those knocked ‘birlos’ that DON’T reach the 15-point-line, score 3 points each

Those that pass the 15-point-line, score 15 points each

Those that pass the 20-point-line, score 20 points each.

Nevertheless, to score these points, the ball has to surpass the 15-point-line.

The game ends when one player/team scores 60

47


points


It’s not played anymore but some efforts have been made to bring it back

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48


GAME GA-32

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) Pasa Perico/ The Pasa Perico


Nothing

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Undefined. It can be a multitudinary game

4. SEX OF PLAYERS It used to be a game for girls


6. PLACE Outdoors



Two players grab their hands and make a “bridge” with them. The rest of the players are standing in a row, waiting to pass below the “bridge”

Each player making the bridge choose the name of a fruit, a colour or whatever object they decide, whitout letting know to the rest of the players in the row.

The players in the row, grabed their hands, pass below the bridge, singing the song at the same time.

Once the song gets to the sentence “here he’ll stay”, the player in the row at that moment under the bridge is catched by the bridge.

The player trapped, crouching, will have to choose one of the two names offered by the two players making the bridge. After that he will place himself after the player whose name was picked up.

This part of the game go on untill the original row no longer exits and all is left are two files after the two players making the bridge.

At this moment that two players draw a line in the floor and grab theirselves by their wrist. Each file, grasped by their waists, has to pull on as in a rope pulling competition to get the oposite file pass the line

Song: Come in Perico, Come in Monteiro, Through the doors Of the gardians; the first run very fast

49


and the last here he’ll stay.


Still played

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50


GAME GA-33

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) O xogo das olas / The saucepan game


Mud saucepans

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Uncertain number of persons

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Indifferent

5. AGE OF PLAYERS Teenagers

and adults

6. PLACE At a public square

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR In Carnival (Previous traditional party to the Lent)


Proper of Limia and others areas. The participants stand in a ring and have to throw a saucepan to another person who will pass it to others. The first person who breaks the saucepan has to pay an agreed punishment. The pot can be empty or not.


Recovering

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51


GAME GA-34

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) As carrilanas / The saucepan game


One jalopy

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS One minimum

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Indifferent. Boys are the most inclined to the jalopies construction, though


6. PLACE Outdoors

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Indifferent


It’s about an hand-made “car” with which it’s possible to drive, simply downhill and even to make competitions about speed or skills


Recovering. Some jalopies competitions exist in different areas of the country

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52


GAME GA-35

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) Os zancos / Stilts


Stilts, a pair for each player

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Unlimited

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Both genders


6. PLACE Normally outdoors

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Not in a particular season


Just walking on the stilts

Long time ago they were used to walk on watery or muddy lands


It’s not played anymore but some efforts have been made to bring it back

10. IMAGES

53


GAME GA-36

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) Pai – Fillo – Nai / Father-son-mother


A board drew on the floor, on a paper, ... or in whatever other surface. Two groups of three small pieces (or buttons, beads, seeds...), each group belonging to a player

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Two

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Doesn't matter

5. AGE OF PLAYERS Doesn't matter

6. PLACE Whatever

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Whatever


Two players play the game, one against the other.

The game starts with one of the players placing one of his three pieces in the center of the board. After that the other player do the same.

The game goes on untill at least five of the small pieces are located on the board. The player who first gets to place all his pieces in line wins the game. Diagonal line is allowed


Still played

10. IMAGES

54


GAME GA-37

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) Catro esquinas / Four corners


Nothing

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Five



6. PLACE Outdoors



A space requires that, literally, he/she should have four corners. If this does not happen, the corners can be replaced with circles drawn in the soil and sufficiently separated some of others, forming between all of them a rectangle. A player trap and it he/she places in way. Each of the circles is the house of one of the participants. The one that trap goes to one of the players with house and asks him:

- There is smoke in your house?

The addressed one answers:

- Not, in my house only there is fire! Question in that one it he/she indicates other one of the houses).

While such a conversation happens, with that apanda placed near the house of the addressed one, other three participants, any speed, are exchanged of house. The game consists in that the one who catch the others manages to enter one of the houses the precise moment - minimum - that this one is empty


In force

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55


GAME GA-38

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) Cucaña / The seaworthy(sea) bargain


A bargain (horizontal, greasy post)

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Game - spectacle to be developed in great group

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Indifferent. Traditionally it was a men's game


6. PLACE In an exterior(foreign), suitably prepared space

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Indeterminate. In the course of a holiday (party)


Universal game, in Galicia the most common bargain was traditionally the realized one in the seaworthy(sea) villas with the water of the sea as "mattress". Arranged horizontally, suitably tied in a base " in land " or in a craft, one arranges a post, which was in the habit of performing pine, smooth and greasy good. In the final end of the post the object is placed to gathering (a cloth, p.e.) or even the prize that there is going to take the winner (a rabbit, p.e.). Established the order of intervention, every participant will try to walk along the post to come to the previous object. There gains(earns) the one who obtains it, but not that to say has that the authentic amusement that provokes the game they are the falls to the water of the participants who have less luck than the winner


Recovering

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GAME GA-39

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) Decotín decotán / Decotín decotán


Nothing

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Game to be made in couples or in groups



6. PLACE Indoor



The player, with his/ her face down on the table, or in another similar position, but in any case with covered eyes, he/she listens to the speech and try to know how many fingers a partner of the game put him in the back.

If he/she guesses the number of fingers, he frees itself and another player will be in his/her place, exchanging roles. If he/ she doesn’t guess, the game continues with second part of the speech, sucesively.

In the case of the second part of the speech, the player receives so many small claps in the back as fingers he/ she had before

Song 1: Decotín e decotán, e das cordas cordabán, e do can que salta a sebe, churrica e bebe, adivina burro que tienes encima de tu culo.

(speech to ask how many numbers they are)

Song 2: Se ti ... (number of fingers) dixeras nunca pena non tiveras, decotín e decotán, e das cordas cordabán, e do can que salta a sebe, churrica e bebe, adivina burro que tienes encima de tu culo

Variant of the speech 2: Se dixeses... (number of fingers) nin gañabas nin perdías

57


nin levabas as palmadas que tiñas que levar


Disappearing

10. IMAGES

58


GAME GA-40

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(In Galician and in English) Estornela, Billarda / Putt


Two sticks, one called the “palanca” (lever) which should measure about 50 cm and another called “estornela” (putt) about 15 cm long with sharpened ends.

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Two or four.

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Men, but also women.

5. AGE OF PLAYERS Teenagers and mature.

6. PLACE An enclosed place.

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Winter.


We place the putt on the ground and hit it on one of its ends with the lever making it flip into the air. Once in the air, we should hit it again with the lever as far as we can.

Again in essence, and although the rules do depend on the region the game is being played in and we may encounter many variants, the winner is the player who hits the putt the furthest (in some versions the player must also ensure that his rival doesn’t hit the putt back to the starting place).


Practice almost lost but improving.

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59

Greek Games


GAME GR-41

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Greek and in English) ΤΟ ΤΡΙΓΩΝΟ / The triangle


Marbles


4. SEX OF PLAYERS Both (not determined)

5. AGE OF PLAYERS Not fixed

6. PLACE Outdoor



The children draw a triangle on the ground and place on each of its corners one large marble. From a distance of 3-4 meters they aim with a smaller marble. If they are able to hit their mark and push any large marble outside the triangle, they win it. Even if they don’t succeed and their marble enters the triangle, the child doesn’t lose, but he is in an advantage as he is closer to the target when he tries to aim again. Whoever wins plays again


Dissapearing

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63


GAME GR-42

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Greek and in English) ΤΟ «ΣΠΑΣΜΕΝΟ» [ΣΚΟΥΡΙΑΣΜΕΝΟ] ΤΗΛΕΦΩΝΟ / The “broken” [rusty] telephone


Nothing




6. PLACE Indoor/Outdoor



The children sit next to each other. The first child begins by whispering into the ear of the child sitting next to him, a long and difficult or unusual word (or phrase). The child who heard the word, as he heard it and the way he received it or understood it, whispers it in turn to the next child and so on.

Due to the fact that the word (or phrase) are difficult, the whispering cannot be heard clearly because of laughter and talk, the words are distorted and at they are on they change quite a bit. In the end, when the word reaches the last child, he says it loud and it’s hardly recognizable and the first child who created it cannot even recognize it. So the children laugh and say that the phone is broken


Dissapearing

10. IMAGES

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GAME GR-43

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Greek and in English) Η ΤΥΦΛΟΜΥΓΑ / A blind fly


A piece of cloth







They tie a piece of cloth around a child’s eyes and the rest of the children form a circle around him, teasing him. The blindfolded child tries to catch one of the other children and when he succeeds, he uses his hands to guess the identity of the child he caught. When he does, he announces the name of that child and they change turns


Dissapearing

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GAME GR-44

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Greek and in English) ΤΟ ΨΩΜΑΚΙ / The little bun [the small bread]


Nothing

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS 2






Two children stand opposite to each other, their palms wide open and touching. They start to recite; after the first and the second word they rub each others’ palms while the third word is spoken, each child tries to hit the others’ palm before he has time to pull back.

A little bun!

A little oil!

A bit of vinegar!


Dissapearing (in some primary schools the girls still play it)

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66


GAME GR-45

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Greek and in English) ΜΠΙΖ / Βiz


Nothing







The children choose the one who will place his hand next to his eye in a way that he cannot look from that side. This child places his other hand across his chest and under his elbow holding up and outwards his palm.

The rest of the kids stand behind him and one of them strikes hard his palm while the rest of them call out loudly “bizzzzz”, moving their forefinger in such a manner to imitate a flying bug.

The child turns around and tries to guess who hit his palm. If he succeeds then the next child takes turns to play the dupe


Dissapearing

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GAME GR-46

1. NAME OF THE GAME(in Greek and in English)

Ο ΒΑΣΙΛΙΑΣ / The king


Nothing







The children choose a king. The king sits somewhere higher for example on some steps and the rest of the kids go aside where they agree to imitate a profession for example an artist, a secretary, a doctor etc. Then they go back to the king and say:

Children: Good morning king with the twelve swords, what is going on?

The king: Laziness.

Children: And the rest?

The king: Ice-cream.

Children: The grand mother said that we must do some work

The king: What kind of work?

Then the children, without speaking start imitating the profession-job they had already agreed on to imitate. The king tries to guess the job and calls it out aloud and runs to catch one of the kids while they scatter around. Whoever is caught becomes the king. If the king does not understand the profession they are imitating, then he sits again on his “throne” and tries to guess the next profession


Dissapearing (only if it is organised in special events or with the teachers)

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GAME GR-47

1. NAME OF THE GAME(in Greek and in English)

ΤΑ ΣΤΡΑΤΙΩΤΑΚΙΑ / The little soldiers


Nothing




6. PLACE Outdoor



A child stands in front of a wall, leaning on it, hiding his eyes with his arms. His back is turned to the rest of the children who are in a distance of about twenty meters away. The child cries out the order-demand:

“Little soldiers: Don’t speak, don’t move, don’t laugh”

As the child calls out this demand, the rest of them try to achieve warrior poses, but keeping in mind to finish taking the pose in time when the demand ends.

The child who was calling the demand, just as speaks the last word, turns around quickly and tries to spot anyone who might lose their balance and move, or speak, or laugh. Whoever does, loses and takes turn to call out the demand.

If the children are good at the game and nobody moves, speaks or laughs, then the child calling the demand tries to mix them up and in a very natural tone of voice tries to lure them in answering very common questions, for example “did you hear your mother call you?” If the child posing as a warrior forgets and speaks or laughs then he loses and takes turns calling demands. Or the first child tries to make the little soldiers laugh by telling them funny things and so on



10. IMAGES

69


GAME GR-48

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Greek and in English) ΤΑ ΑΓΑΛΜΑΤΑ / The statues


Nothing




6. PLACE Outdoor



A child (the leader) stands in front of a wall, leaning on it, hiding his eyes with his arms. His back is turned to the rest of the children who are in a distance of about twenty meters away, either in a line or as a group. When the sign “go” is given, the leader slaps his palms on the wall and counts “one-two-three” and turns his head quickly back so as to look at the children standing behind him.

The children while the leader was counting spread out and strike various poses, alone or in groups. When the leader turns his dead, the children must remain motionless, just like statues. The leader then chooses the statue which he liked best and was the most impressive, the funnies, the most beautiful etc.

This game demands quickness, self control but even so good taste



10. IMAGES

70


GAME GR-49

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Greek and in English) ΤΟ ΜΑΝΤΗΛΙ ΣΤΗ ΖΩΝΗ / The handkerchief in the belt


Α handkerchief




6. PLACE Outdoor



The children are separated into two groups in equal members. Each child places on the left side of his belt or waste a handkerchief, in such a way that it can be easily pulled out. Then they all make a very big circle in which all the children can move freely. Whoever steps out of the circle loses. When the sign “go” is given, the children of one team, try to take the handkerchiefs from the children of the opposite team, but at the same time trying to protect their own handkerchief. It’s a one to one fight, so to speak. In the end the team which has the most handkerchiefs of the opposite team wins



10. IMAGES

71


GAME GR-50

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Greek and in English) ΤΟ ΜΑΝΤΗΛΙ ΣΤΟΝ ΚΥΚΛΟ / The handkerchief in the circle


Α handkerchief




6. PLACE Outdoor



The children split into two teams and each team stands across from the other in a distance of 8-10 meters. In the middle of this distance they draw a circle on the ground, with a diameter of about fifty centimeters. In the circle they place a handkerchief.

After the “go” sigh, a player of each team comes forth and tries to grad the handkerchief and run back to his team without being caught by the other player. At the same time other players can come forth to help and there is a big struggle and uproar. While this happens a player manages to grab the handkerchief and gets away without being touched by the opponents. Whoever is caught is considered a captive and stays out of the game until he is rescued. Whoever has the handkerchief can free one captive.

The wining team is the one which manages to capture all the other opponents



10. IMAGES

72


GAME GR-51

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Greek and in English) ΤΑ ΜΗΛΑ / The apples


Α ball




6. PLACE Outdoor



The children draw two lines on the ground at a distance of 10-15 meters from each other. Two children will be standing on the two lines and the rest form one team and move back and forth in the space between the two lines. The two players standing on their posts toss a ball back and forth very quickly, trying to hit the children who are running up and down trying to avoid getting hit by the ball. If a child gets hit by the ball, leaves the game. But when a child is able to catch the ball as it is being tossed (without having touched the ground) then he catches “an apple” which gives him the chance to “save” his own “life” or give “life” to a friend who is already out of the game. The more “apples” the player catches the more chances he has to stay in the game. Usually, one child is left running up and down, he is the one with the most “apples” and if the two outside players are unable to strike him with the ball, then hi is the winner of all


It is still played

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Latvian Games


In the center of the Latvian games are the conception about space (the heaven,

the middle world and the underworld) and time (the seasons and the course of a

man’s lifetime). With the help of this image it is possible to perceive a certain order

in Latvian plays; both in during the season from the Candlemas till the Winter

Solstice, and also during the man’s lifetime – from the cradle to the grave. In

Latvian plays are also materials used of folklore closely connected with practical

training of plays and games. They are nursery rhymes – the texts expressed by a

formula, with the help of which a special person is elected from the players and the

descriptions of crying forfeits.

77


78


GAME LA-52

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Latvian and in English) Gaiļu cīņas / Fight of cocks



3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Pair number of players

4. SEX OF PLAYERS Boys or girls in both teams

5. AGE OF PLAYERS Teenagers

6. PLACE Not fixed



Players form two identical lines one against other. Each team chooses their leader. Everyone cross its hands on breasts and gets up on one leg. Through leader sign both turns are going in a fight, pushing rivals with shoulders. That who gets up on both foots, uses hands or falls is considered as looser. Loser has to leave the battle. The team where all participants are dropped out the game loses.


Disappearing

10. IMAGES

79


GAME LA-53

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Latvian and in English) Vilnas pūšana / The wool blowing


A clot of wool (or a clot of cotton)



5. AGE OF PLAYERS Children/ Teenagers

6. PLACE The room



Players sit close round a table. Everyone must keep his hands under table. A bit cotton wool lies on a table. Each tries to flow away a clot of wool from itself and close up to the others. To what wool remains or what take out hands, it has to pay a forfeit. Players can cease the game when sufficient amount of forfeits collected.


Disappearing

10. IMAGES

80


GAME LA-54

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Latvian and in English) Ņemt draugu / To take a friend



3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Odd number of players


5. AGE OF PLAYERS Teenagers/ Adults

6. PLACE The town square

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Summer, autumn


Players join their hands and stand in column by pairs. One participant has no pair and he runs through a passage-way, which is formed by the hands lifted of the other players. He hurries on front of the column by grabbing someone to the hand. There they align and lift hands like other pairs. Player who remained without a partner leaves on an end of columns and like a previous player search for a new friend.


Disappearing

10. IMAGES

81


GAME LA-55

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Latvian and in English) Neuzticīgais draugs / The unfaithful friend


Chairs

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Odd number of players


5. AGE OF PLAYERS Teenagers / Adults

6. PLACE The room

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Autumn / winter


Chairs are placed in a circle with seats inside. One half of the players stand behind each chair and other sits on chair. One chair remains empty, so player who is standing behind this chair has no pair. He or she does not wish to remain alone so it tries to entice the friend of other player, blinking with eye to particular person. A player who sits in a chair can accept this invitation and try to escape by running away from the previous place. In this moment a player who stands behind, tries to detain him by clapping on runaway’s back or shoulder. If it is succeeded then he or she remains in this chair, if not the chair become empty and now this player must look for a new friend. Players standing behind chairs must keep their hands behind their backs. Player who sits on chairs can ignore invitation, too. In such case friend seeker must choose another person


Still played game

10. IMAGES

82


GAME LA-56

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Latvian and in English) Grābstīt ar karotēm / To fumble with spoons


Two spoons and a scarf



5. AGE OF PLAYERS Teenagers / Adults

6. PLACE Not fixed



Players sit in a circle. First player is blindfolded and he or she takes two spoons and stays in the middle of circle. A player grope those who sit in a circle using only two spoons; in that way he or she has to guess the player name. If blindfolded player guesses the name, it takes the place of a first player. But if first player can’t guess the name of player who sits in a circle, he or she has to pay forfeit


Disappearing

10. IMAGES

83


GAME LA-57

1. NAME OF THE GAME(in Latvian and in English)

Amantnieki / Craftsman






6. PLACE The town square

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Summer, autumn


Players part in a two groups. One group chooses a handicraft, but the second group has to guess what kind of handicraft it is. The first group goes aside to consult and then with signs show various works to second group. If, for example, the first group selected a position of joiner, one player can show process of sawing other can plane. If second group can’t guess three times, then this group has to pay a forfeit. An opponent chooses a new position and repeats the game.


Still played game

10. IMAGES

84


GAME LA-58


Pļaut sienu / Haymaking


Rope with weight (it can be bag with sand) on one ending



5. AGE OF PLAYERS Teenagers/ children

6. PLACE Not fixed



Players must draw a circle on the ground (or floor). One “haymaker” stands in the middle of this circle and takes a rope with a weight on its ending. Rope is as long as it can reach side of the circle from middle (like a radius). The others stand in the circle. “Haymaker” revolves the rope in some distance above the ground. Other players must jump over the rope when it comes so they aren’t cut. Player who is hit by sandbag must throw up the game. If there are no one cut for a longer time “Haymaker” can revolve rope higher. Game is played until just one player remains


Still played game

10. IMAGES

85


GAME LA-59

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Latvian and in English) Sist urķus / To knock off a sticks


Number of arrowy sticks – one feet long, not very thick; cudgel

3. NUMBER OF PLAYERS Usually 2, or can be 2 teams



6. PLACE The yard



Players insert sticks in earth in 2 lines. All sticks must be in the same depth and the same distance from each other. Distance between both lines is 10 steps. By turn players fling a cudgel to an opponent’s sticks and try to knock them out. The winner is one who first knocks out all opponent’s sticks. Broken sticks are counted.

If there are more than 2 players, they part in a two groups and everyone fling by turns


Disappearing

10. IMAGES

86


GAME LA-60

1. NAME OF THE GAME

(in Latvian and in English) Šikutēni, šikutēni / Shecuravens, shecuravens


Cudgel (it can be broomstick), chairs



5. AGE OF PLAYERS Children/ Teenagers

6. PLACE The room

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Winter/ spring


Players sit on chairs in a round. Game driver has a cudgel and he walks in the middle of the circle and recites:

“Shecuravens, shecuravens Crows and ravens”

When he stands in front of any player and beats with cudgel on a floor player must get up and grasp at driver. They keep walking and reciting together to another player which grasp at first player. This way game last until all players are afoot and make a chain. They keep walking and reciting for some time, suddenly driver drops the cudgel and takes a seat. Other players do the same. The one who remains without a seat must pay forfeit and became a driver.


Disappearing

10. IMAGES

87


GAME LA-61


Iet vistiņās / Chickens hunt


Scarf



5. AGE OF PLAYERS Children / teenagers

6. PLACE The room

7. SEASON OF THE YEAR Winter / spring


One player tie up eyes with a scarf – he or she is a blind goshawk and tries to catch other players - chickens.

Game starts with blind goshawk ask: “How many are you there?”

Chickens answer: “As many as tree has leaves”, goshawk says “I will get you all in my clutches” and after this goshawk starts hunting, chickens run away. Chickens clap hands all the time so that goshawk can hear where to catch. When goshawk snatch some chicken, it becomes a blind goshawk


Still played game

10. IMAGES

88

Traditional Games Catalogue

Documents

Transcript of Traditional Games Catalogue