Children playing Shat Chara When there was no internet, computers, and smartphones, words like ‘digital’ or ‘online’ didn’t exist, and kids had unique plans to entertain themselves. They had spacious houses, courtyards, empty compounds, and terraces. There were countless named and unnamed country games that satiated the little hearts.
In joint families, paternal cousins often played together. Afternoons used to be everyone’s official playtime. But one had to get back home just like the birds by dusk. So, between the afternoon and evening, ‘90s generation kids had their best pastimes. Let’s remember some of those games.
Kutkut: It was and still is a popular game, especially in rural areas. The playground is marked on the ground with chalk or stone. There will be some boxes you must cross without stepping on them. If you played the game in childhood, you might still remember how restlessly you waited for your friend to step on the lines so that your turn came.
Kanamachi: Another popular name is Kanamachi bho bho Jare pabi tare cho. Blindfolded with a piece of cloth, one tries to catch other playmates. The one with a blindfold is Kana or blind. Surrounding the Kana roam several Machi or flies and taps Kana while chanting Kanmachi rhymes. The captured player will become Kana if Kana catches someone and correctly tells the name.
Borof pani/Kumir Danga: Borof pani is an interesting game in which a thief tries to catch other players. Each player will turn Borof or freeze if the thief can touch. But an active player who is yet to be touched by the thief can turn the frozen player into Pani (which means the player will be active again). The game ends when the thief freezes everyone, with the first frozen player being the thief next time.
Rumal chor: The name suggests there will be a Chor or thief. All the players sit in a circle, and the Rumal chor(handkerchief thief) moves around them with a rumal in hand. The thief tries to place the rumal behind any player without letting anyone know. The thief then tries to catch that player with another turn around the circle. A successful catch makes the caught player the new thief; otherwise, the game continues.
Ludo: This game needs no introduction. Although it is now hugely popular in digital versions, it finds its original vibe on huge ludo boards with images of actresses, animals, flowers, etc. Cutting the beads, or ‘guti khawa,’ is the best part of this game. This game still brings a festive vibe to households in rural settings when many relatives play together.
Lukochuri: Even a few years ago, load shedding was acute in Bangladesh. Each load-shedding used to be unofficial playtime for the kids. Lukochuri or Hide & Seek was at the top of the list for such playtimes. Imagine having a yard at home and finding your playmates in the dark hiding behind the bush...sounds fun!
Ghar ghar and Haripatil: Making makeshift rooms with cushions was the best part of a generation’s childhood. Dreams of building a house of our own stemmed from those houses. Miniature utensils, spoons, stoves, plates, etc., gave those houses a real look.
After building the home, role-playing begins. Things like going to the office, preparing tea, holding a bazaar in the garden, cooking, and serving food happen.
A londi London: Do you remember the famous rhyme “A londi London Ghori baje ting tong Ek dui tin”? One player recites this and counts up to three with closed eyes. Other playing members must come forward to the one counting, stop, and stand still until the counting finishes. The smallest of movements can disqualify the standing player. When the reciting player closes his eyes again, others run towards him fast, touch him, and get inside a safe zone marked with chalk before opening his eyes.
Chor Police: Remember the folded chits naming ‘chor,’ ‘dakat’ ‘police’ and ‘babu’? During class breaks or cousins’ meetups, this game is still popular. Babu moshai would ask the police to find dakat or chor. If the police solve the case, he gets his price (points), and the apprehended player gets zero.
Nam desh ful fol: This is a quick game played in between classes on notebooks or diaries. The basic rule is to write the names of a person, country, flower, or fruit with a selected letter. This game is mostly played by primary school kids wanting to learn more about different things.
There are many more games like Danguli, Bou chi, Mangsho chor, Gollachut, Bagaduli, Ful Tokka, etc. Their names and playing rules vary in regions, but their appeal is the same everywhere. Although those games are now beaten by digital entertainment, they are still popular among rural kids, who pass them from generation to generation.
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