Upuca

-

Upuca, uses small stones and can be played by a number of people. A circle is drawn on the ground where these stones are put in. A player has to have one bigger stone in her hand. She throws it in the air and in the same breath pulls out the stones from the circle. Then she throws the bigger stone in the air again and pushes the rest of the stones back in the circle leaving one or more stones depending on the level of the game. The aim would be not to drop the bigger stone and also to collect the correct number of stones for the level she is playing.

For example, if you are on level two, you must collect two stones. Once you miss catching the bigger stone then the game goes to the next player. The winner will be the one who collects the most stones from the circle.

"Nize nithi nisakufumana inkululeko, nilime amasimi, nifuye nibuyele kumasiko nezithethe zendlu kaNtu." S.E.K Mqhayi


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

1-2-3 Block

-
 The game is called 1-2-3 Block. The game does not require any materials, but it does need a big space/ area in which to play it.  This game is similar to hide and seek but a bit more active and exciting.  Before the game begins all the players agree on an item to be the ‘blocking post’. This item must be relatively large and accessible from multiple directions e.g. a tree, chair, or part of a wall (etc.).  After this has been decided, a chosen ‘seeker’ must count to 50 with their eyes shut next to the ‘blocking post’ and everyone else hides. Once done counting, the person must try and find everyone BUT the game does not end when they are spotted… Rather, when spotted, both the hider and the seeker must run back to the ‘blocking post.’ If the hider gets to the post, touches it and shouts “1-2-3 Block” before the seeker, they are safe. But if the seeker gets there first and shouts “1-2-3 Block” then the hider has lost and will become the next seeker.  The game continues until the player
Read more

Nhodo

-
In Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe we used to play an indigenous game called Nhodo. I did not realise this was teaching us counting and mathematical literacy. So, in a group we could play e.g., 5 players. The game involves each player choosing 5 small round stones to contribute. All the stones are put in a circle. The first player will use a lead stone to throw in the air while taking out all the stones from the circle. The player will then throw the lead stone into the air and take one stone from the stones and push all the stones into the circle. If some stones remain outside that is an infringement and the next player takes over…. Taurai Mutanda
Read more

Sonko Game

-
Sonko/Hopscotch   Name of the Game: Sonko Game Description Sonko game would starts off by drawing (painting) a series of squares or rectangles on a clear ground (paver) using broken glass or black charcoal or colored chalk. The squares would then subdivided horizontally into five different compartments and a longitudinal line drawn in the middle to make it ten compartments. The lines drawn would not always be permanent so that they could be easily erased to change the designs if need arose. Sonko game was ideal for children of all ages (older and younger children); girls and boys who could engage with a flat stone locally referred to as 'ekyaana' (baby) to throw in the created squares. At the start of a game, 'ebyaana' (babies) would be placed in the very first square on either side. The gist of the game was for the children to hop over a series of squares with the aim of picking up 'ekyana' (flat
Read more