La víbora de la mar facts for kids

La víbora de la mar (which means "The Sea Snake") is a fun, old singing game from Mexico. It's super popular with kids in Mexico and other parts of Latin America. In Spain, people know it as "pasemisí".

How to Play La Víbora de la Mar

This game is a lot like "London Bridge is Falling Down." Here's how you play:

• First, two players stand facing each other. They hold their hands up high to make an arch.
• One of these players is called "Melón" (which means Honeydew Melon).
• The other player is called "Sandía" (which means Watermelon).
• The rest of the players form a long line. They hold onto each other's waists or clothes. This line is the "snake."
• The "snake" then starts to run. It passes under the arch made by Melón and Sandía.
• As the snake moves, everyone sings the special song for the game.
• The players forming the arch can choose when to drop their arms. They try to "capture" one of the players from the snake.
• The exciting part is not knowing when the arch will fall!

What Happens After a Capture?

• When a player is captured, Melón and Sandía ask them a question.
• They ask, "Who will you stay with? Melón or Sandía?"
• The captured player then chooses one of the "fruits."
• They join the line behind the player they chose. This starts to form a new arch.
• The game continues until all the players from the original snake are divided. They will be either with Melón or with Sandía.

The Tug-of-War Finale

• Once all players are divided, the game isn't over!
• The two groups (Melón's team and Sandía's team) then have a tug of war.
• They pull against each other to see which team is stronger.

The Song's Verses

The song is a big part of the game. Here are the words in Spanish and what they mean in English:

Game Variations and Similar Games

La víbora de la mar is played in different ways. It also has games like it in other countries.

Playing at Weddings

• In Mexico, this game is sometimes played at weddings.
• Instead of kids, single men and women play.
• The bride and groom stand on chairs to make the arch.
• The "snake" of guests runs under them.
• They don't sing the song. Instead, they follow music that gets faster and faster.
• The guests try to keep the "snake" together as they run around.

Similar Games Around the World

• This game is very much like "London Bridge Is Falling Down" in English-speaking countries.
• In Japan, there is a similar game played to a song called Tōryanse.

See also

In Spanish: La víbora de la mar (juego) para niños