Traditional games of South Africa explained

South Africa has some traditional games.[1]

History

Some traditional South African games are played annually at the National Indigenous Games Festival in September.[2]

Traditional games

Bok-bok

In this game, players stand upright against a wall while opponents try to jump on their back to make them collapse.[3]

Three toti

In three toti, the goal is to throw a ball at three tin cans that are piled up in a pyramid shape, and then to run back-and-forth between two predetermined points in order to score as many points as possible before the tin cans are re-assembled by the opponents.[4]

Drie stokkies

Drie stokkies resembles the triple jump event: it involves participants trying to jump three times between three sticks, with the person who can jump the furthest beyond the last stick winning.[5] [6]

Kho-kho

It is believed that kho-kho arrived in South Africa with the importation of indentured Indian servants by the British.

Dodgeball variants

See also: List of dodgeball variations.

Dibeke

Dibeke is a game similar to football and dodgeball; in this game, the attacking team attempts to kick a ball down the length of the field in order to score points, while the defending team is allowed to pick up the ball with their hands and throw it at members of the attacking team to eliminate them.[7]

Dithini

See also: Seven stones (game). In dithini, players attempt to stack up various tin cans into a predetermined shape, while opponents can eliminate stacking players by hitting them with a ball.[8]

Goat in the cage

Two players stand on either side of the playing area, and attempt to eliminate players by throwing the ball at them. The last remaining player wins.[9]

Board games

Morabaraba

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Seven traditional games . 2023-08-25 . News24 . en-US.
  2. Web site: Preserving childhood games in SA culture . 2023-08-25 . SowetanLIVE . en-ZA.
  3. https://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/family/parenting/kids-learn-to-be-game-for-traditional-sports-621896 Kids learn to be game for traditional sports
  4. Web site: Gontsana . Mary-Anne . 2014-11-14 . Games that township kids play . 2023-08-25 . GroundUp News . en.
  5. Web site: bonganimashisane . 2019-09-26 . Team Mpumalanga stamp their authority at the Indigenous Games . 2023-08-25 . Mpumalanga News . en-US.
  6. Web site: Hurter . Tharine . Devotion to indigenous games lauded . 2023-08-25 . Netwerk24 . af-ZA.
  7. Book: Piggin . Joe . Routledge Handbook of Physical Activity Policy and Practice . Mansfield . Louise . Weed . Mike . 2017-12-22 . Routledge . 978-1-317-37417-6 . en.
  8. Web site: Teboho.Setena . Games played to celebrate heritage . 2023-08-25 . News24 . en-US.
  9. Web site: 2021-09-27 . Heritage Month: Let's celebrate our heritage by introducing our children to traditional games . 2023-08-25 . Jou Gesin Solidariteit Wêreld . en-US.