Ingcuka

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This group is popular with young children from pre-school going age to around ten.  The player are usually spread in a rectangular open field.  One member who is "mama" stands on the one end of the field,  the other – "the children" – will be standing on the opposite end of the field.  The "wolves" will be on the adjacent sides.

 

The mother and her children engage in a long dialogue.

 

Mama:  Bantwana bam (Kids)

Chidren:  Mama

Mama:  Yizani kum (Come over)

Children:  Siyoyika (We are scared)

Mama:  Noyika ntonin (What scares)

Chidren:  Ingcuka (Wolves)

Mama:  Senza ntoni?  (What are they up)

Children:  Siyatya (They are eating)

Mother:  Zitya ntoni (What are they eating?)

Children:  Isonka (Bread)

Mother:  Zilumela ngantoni? (With what?)

Children:  Ngegazi (Blood)

Mother:  Elikabani (Whose blood?)

Children:  Elakho ( Yours)

Mother:  Balekani! (Run!)

 

The children run towards their mother ducking the wolves.  The wolves will try to capture as many children as possible.  Captured children stay out the game.  The game progresses until all children are caught, then the roles change. 

 

The game teaches dexterity, and agility. 

 

K. Ngodwana

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