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8 Traditional games that will blow your mind

By Kavya S


There existed an era before technology and mobile games, where individuals used to play games with their neighbours, relatives, and cousins to pass time. These games brought people together and introduced them to new people in their neighbourhood. It is uncommon for us to witness situations like these, where the people gather and play local games. Following are a few classic games that people used to play as kids.


  1. Kallu kali (Game of stones)

This game is played with stones. We need to gather some medium sized stones of 5 numbers. And throw one stone into the air, by the time it comes down we have to pick up another stone from the ground and keep our palm facing the sky to catch the stone which we threw in the sky. Likewise we must continue to play till all the 5 stones are in our hands. The next level is to throw one stone into the air and pick 2 stones from the ground. There are 5 rounds in this game. The steps for the third round are the same as for the fourth round, except we must choose three stones and four stones, respectively. In the 5th round, which is the hardest of all, we have to toss 5 stones from the palm of our hands and have to make sure all the 5 stones are picked by the dorsal side of our hand. This game is played by one individual at a time.


Photo credits: www.youtube.com

2. Karayilum vellathilum (land and water game)


This game is basically a group game. People must be divided into two groups of whatever count that you want. For this the gamers will divide the ground into 2 sections: water and land. Therefore when one group says kara (land) we have to step on the section of water and when they say vellam (water) we have to step on the section of land.


3. Appam indakal


In short, this is a culinary game using sand and water. To play this game we must take one coconut shell and mix sand and water to form a paste. Then we place the coconut shell in an upside down position for that paste to get dry and form the exact same shape of the coconut shell. Similarly, we can make so many appam and play. People make different types and forms of dishes with sand.


Photo credits: coconutvietnam.com.vn

4. Untangling Eerkali


This game is played with the stick which is in the centre part of the coconut leaf. Therefore, we must first gather 10 to 15 of those sticks, then we must place all of them on the ground. So when we do that it will be tangled and with another stick, we have to untangle each one of the sticks without moving the other one.


5. Kottiyum kollum


Kottiyum kollum is a group game, where people divide themselves into groups based on their needs. This game is played by making a small pit wherein people keep one small medium sized wood. And a person must hit that wood with another large- medium sized wood stick. If a person catches that small medium sized wood, then he/she to which group they belong has won the game.


Photo credits: www.volunteerworkindia.org


6. Aalli gulli mane


In north Karnataka, kannada they call this game as aalli guli mane. There will be a board with pits in them. In one pit there shouldn't be 6 or 7 shells. Shells can be any seeds, tamarind seeds, or shells in general. You can’t have 6 in one pit, if you have them, you have to take it out and play until you run out of seeds.


Photo credits: ca.news.yahoo.com

7. Lagooris


You draw a circle and in that circle you place stones on top of eachother. A person will try to make the mountain of rocks/stones which is placed in that circle fall by throwing a ball from a distance. If that ball goes away, by the time that person takes the ball, other members have to restack the mountain of rocks quickly. If the person catches hold of the ball, before other members restack them. Then the person will throw the ball onto the people who are restacking the stones. If you get hit by the ball, then you are out and now you’ll have to throw the ball at the mountain of rocks/stones. And the game continues.


Photo credits: deponti.wordpress.com

8. Game of gotti


First we make a pit in the sand and in front of them we assemble at least 5-6 gottis. A person has to throw another gotti from a distance and make at least one gotti in front of the pit to fall in that pit. Gotti’s of different colour variations were available during that time. And the game continues.





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