Traditional games of Nigeria explained

Nigeria has several traditional games, though they have faded away due to lack of support and the dominance of Western sports.[1] Traditional games historically played a significant role in teaching Nigerian children about the structure of their societies.[2]

History

Several traditional Nigerian games are played at the National Sports Festival of Nigeria.[3]

Traditional games

Abula

Abula is similar to volleyball, except that participants hit the ball with a wooden bat.[4] [5]

After round one

After singing a song with the opening line "after round one", players have to display a number from one to five using their fingers; the person who displays the lowest numbers of fingers has their palm slapped by all the other participants.[6] [7]

Langa

See also: Langdi (sport). Langa is played in rounds; in each round, one player from each team, known as the Ruwa (point-scorer), attempts to reach a designated area on the opponent's side in order to score a point for their team. The Ruwas and all other players have to hop on one foot, while holding their other foot with one hand. If a player's hand is dislodged from their held foot by an opponent, then they are eliminated from that round.[8] [9]

Ten Ten

Two participants stand opposing each other, and then lift one of their legs up; if a player lifts the same leg up as the opponent, then the opponent wins a point.[10]

Kpokoro

Kpokoro is a version of Ten Ten which involves multiple players, and also resembles follow the leader.[11]

Board games

Arin

Arin is similar to billiards, except that it is played using seeds as the items that are maneuvered around.[12] [13]

Martial arts

Kokawa

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-12-14 . A Look at Nigeria's Traditional Sports and its Quagmire — Transcontinental Times . 2023-08-25 . en-US.
  2. Web site: akande . segun . 2017-07-10 . Before Playstation and X-Box, we had Suwe, Ten-Ten and Table Soccer . 2023-08-25 . Pulse Nigeria . en.
  3. Web site: Sports ministry reinstates traditional sports in 2022 National Sports Festival - Daily Trust . 2023-08-25 . dailytrust.com. 8 November 2022 .
  4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344239605_A_Step_towards_Improving_Ncho_Traditional_Game_in_Anambra_State A Step towards Improving Ncho Traditional Game in Anambra State
  5. Web site: 2015-10-02 . Top 4 Nigerian Traditional Games to Try . 2023-08-25 . Encomium . en-US.
  6. Web site: Agboke . Anuoluwapo . 2018-10-18 . Nigerian Kids Games: Throwback Thursday . 2023-08-25 . Hintnaija . en-US.
  7. Web site: Auwal . Abdul . 2022-06-03 . When We Were Young: 7 Nostalgic Games We Played - TheWill Downtown . 2023-08-25 . en-US.
  8. Web site: Langa: A culture going extinct - Daily Trust . 2023-08-25 . dailytrust.com. 5 December 2009 .
  9. Web site: 2018-07-02 . LANGA. The hopping sport. — izge on Scorum . 2023-08-25 . Scorum.com . en.
  10. Web site: Nwangwu . Adaora . 2022-01-27 . Throwback: 15 Memorable Games Nigerian Kids Played In the 90s . 2023-08-25 . The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) . en-GB.
  11. Web site: 2022-03-04 . An Analysis of Children's Games from Around the World Bits And Pieces . 2023-08-25 . Global Toy News . en-US.
  12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/240613280_A_Note_on_the_Current_Status_of_Arin_a_Yoruba_Traditional_Game_Played_with_the_Seeds_of_Dioclea_reflexa A Note on the Current Status of Arin, a Yoruba Traditional Game Played with the Seeds of Dioclea reflexa.
  13. Web site: Nigeria . Guardian . 2016-07-31 . These acts diminish us . 2023-08-25 . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . en-US.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Traditional games of Nigeria".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.