Preserving the information and knowledge about traditional games is important for the generations to come (UNESCO).
Traditional sports and games are a means to convey values of solidarity, diversity, fair-play, inclusion, and cultural awareness. They also contribute to logical thinking, mathematical and civic education. Moreover, traditional sports and games reflect cultural diversity, and foster mutual understanding and tolerance among communities and nations.
Every region in Pakistan has traditional sports that are played and celebrated among locals; depicting a picture of energy, joy, and cultural richness. These are conducive to physical health and fitness, and require minimal resources and a great deal of imagination. The true flavor of these games lies in their accessibility and ease of play.
A study at Aga Khan University, Karachi, showed that aside from building fond childhood memories, these games have been important in developing early cognitive abilities like gross and fine motor skills, critical thinking, negotiating and conflict resolution. They help us learn about teamwork and deep friendships; essential for healthy and holistic development.
Beaconhouse firmly believes that it is important to safeguard and promote traditional sports and games. Traditional Sports and Games Week from EYs to the Middle was celebrated in BSS Steel town from the 14th to the 17th of March 2022. Students practice different traditional sport Different traditional games played during the week.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TGkUQ80GO8YYyysI4HY52q2eZEcDXz5s/view?usp=sharing
Stapoo
The game is one of the most well-known childhood games of all time, and is similar to a game of hopscotch. The game can be played by any number of players taking turns in a predefined sequence. The requirement to play is a numbered ladder pattern on the floor and a disc shape small object.
Langri Pala/Sher
Langri Pala/shayr is a common street game. Generally, Langri pala is a team sport between two sides, with 3 to 9 players per side. The team that wins the toss defends. The chasing team sends chasers who hop on one foot and try to tag the defenders. The chasers can step out of the ground as long as they keep on one foot. Players will draw a big circle according to the number of players and area available.
Kokla Chappakki
Kokla Chappaki is popular even today amongst children. One player will be the seeker. All playing members will sit cross-legged in a circle with their eyes closed The ‘seeker’ takes the piece of cloth in their hand and runs around the circle singing the phrase/song “Kokla Chapaki Jumeraat aayi aye jera agge pichey wekhey ohdi shamat aayi aye.” It is a kind of a warning for the children sitting in a circle not to look back.
Pakran Pakrai, Baraf Pani & Oonch Neech
Pakran Pakrai is the equivalent of ‘tag’, the straightforward game in which children catch each other.
Another version of this is ‘Baraf Pani” (Ice Water)’. One person is selected through a toss and chases every other player. If he/she is able to catch someone, he/she shouts out ‘baraf’ (freeze). That person then becomes ‘frozen’, meaning that he/she isn’t allowed to move and is therefore out of the game. However, other players can unfreeze the frozen players by touching them and calling loudly ‘paani‘. Keeping this in mind, the chaser has to freeze all the players and end the game. The first frozen person then becomes the chaser for the next round.
Aankh Micholi
Aankh Micholi is another popular game- In this game, the chaser is blindfolded and then made to catch all other players. When all the players are caught, the person who was caught first has to take the lead and become the chaser for the next round. To make the game more fun kids call out the name of denner or touch him/her slightly. This game is very helpful in developing the kid’s alertness, sensory skills and exercising their tactical sense.
Kikli
Kikli is more of a dance than a game. Two persons (mostly girls) stand face to face close to each other and strongly hold their hands crossing arms with their bodies inclined back, in this position their arms are stretched to the maximum and their hands interlock firmly. Then they wheel round fast continuously by singing songs “Kikli kleer di, Pag mere vir dee, Kurta mere bhai da, Hasi da Hasie da”. Sometimes it is done by four players.
Adhi Chharhapa
This is played by two teams with around 6 players in each team. Two players from team “A” will sit on the floor with their legs straight and their feet touching. A player from team “B” will jump over the legs of the players of team“ A”, without touching them.
Raasa Kashi- tug of war
Bantey-marbles
