TRADITIONAL AND MODERN GAMES
Traditional games
Traditional games are an important part of the culture and heritage of our communities
There are many traditional games, but in this section, you will learn two traditional games
Which are
1. To play the sack race
2. Chicken chase games
1. Sack race
This is the traditional game in which participants complete to run by jumping forward while standing inside sacks
This game can be played individually or in groups
The game usually takes place during school events and community celebrations
How to play
1. Exercise to prepare your body by running slowly for 2 to 3 minutes
2. Mark the starting and ending points of the area. The distance can be between 25, 50, 75, or 100 meters depending on the ability of the players
3. Put off your shoes and hold your racing sack
4. Stand at the starting point
5. Stand inside the sack and make sure it goes beyond the waist
6. Hold the sack with your hands so it doesn’t fall
7. Wait instructions from the leader
8. After the command from the leader, start jumping forward with two legs together
9. Run faster than others towards the finish line
10. The winner is the one who will be the first to cross the finishing line
Pupils competing in the sack race
The importance of the sack race game
i. It entertains the participants and audiences
ii. It builds friendship and teamwork
iii. It improves the ability to think
iv. Energizes participants’ bodies
v. It develops the competitive spirit
vi. It promotes their health
vii. It nurtures the running talents
Exercise
1. How did you feel when played the sack race game?
2. What challenges did you meet while playing this game?
3. What technique did you use to play this game without falling down?
2. Chicken chase game
This is a traditional game and very popular in some places: often in children’s bonanzas or sports concerts. It is a game that can be played by people of all ages
It is important to ensure that the chicken that will be used will not be harmed or hurt while playing this game
How to play
1. Prepare a healthy chicken. It can be a cock or a hen
2. Stay into two teams. Each should have no more than four players on the size of the field
3. Non- playing pupils should form a circle so that the chicken can run around but does not escape
4. The leader will start the game by throwing the chicken in the center of the circle, then blowing the whistle to start the game
5. After the command of the leader chase the chicken until you catch it
Pupils competing to chase a chicken
Things to consider
The following things should be considered when playing a chicken chase game
a. The game can be played by girls and boys. Girls compete with themselves and boys the same
b. If the chicken goes out the circle without being caught by any player, the game is repeated
c. The time to chase the chicken is between three to five minutes if the chicken is not caught, players from other teams will enter
d. It is not allowed to kick the chicken to catch it
e. It is not allowed to step on the chicken to catch it and
f. If you are not a player, you are not allowed to catch the chicken even if it passes near you
Importance of chicken chase game
a. It makes their bodies active
b. It builds friendship and teamwork
c. It improves the ability to think
d. It provides the body with physical exercises
e. It develops the competitive spirit and
f. It nurtures the running talents
Exercise
1. How did you feel when you played the chicken chase game?
2. Why it is important to choose healthy chicken for this game?
3. Which way did you use to get close to the chicken?
3. Modern games
Modern games are games which originated from other communities outside Tanzania. These games began to be played in other areas such as Asia and Europe
There are many modern games, some of them include
i. Acrobatics
ii. Football
iii. Netball
A. Acrobatic game
Acrobatic is a type of game or activity that involves displaying physical skills, bravery, and various exercises that are performed in front of an audience
In acrobatic, participants an perform various fun or amazing movements such as jumping, balancing, playing with various equipment and creating various shapes on land and in the air
Below are some of the games involved in the acrobatics
a. Crab walk
Here the player will have to walk by hands and feet like a crab
How to play
1. Prepare your body by running slowly for 2 to 3 minutes and stretching the body
2. Lie on your back with your legs folded and your arms on the ground in front of your head
A pupil lying on his or her back to support his or her body
3. Push your body upward supported by legs and arms
4. Keep your head behind all the time
5. Keep your feet close to avoid losing balance
A pupil lifting himself or herself using his or her feet and hands
6. Without changing the position, walk forward then go backward, go to the left then right
b. Hand walk
Here the player will have to walk with his or her hands similar to how he or she walks with his or her feet
When you are walking with your hands you should keep the balance of the body to avoid falling
How to play
1. Exercise to prepare your body by running slowly for 2 to 3 minutes while stretching the body
2. Stand on your hands with the support of your partner or a wall
A pupil standing on her hands with support from a partner
3. Keep the body in a state of good balance to avoid falling
4. Look ahead before you start walking
A pupil walking by hands
5. Start walking with hands forward, backward, right and left
6. You can make majestic moves while walking
c. Tower building
Here as a player, you have to work together with your fellows to create different shapes using your bodies
These shapes are
1. Get up or get lifted with hands
A pupil lifted with hands
2. Carry each other by hands
A pupil carried by hands
3. Carrying each other using a wooden stretcher
4. Standing on the thighs and shoulders
Exercise
1. How did you feel when you played the modern game?
2. Which acrobatic game did you enjoy the most?
3. What challenge did you meet while playing acrobatic games?