Traditional games of Andhra Pradesh facts for kids

Traditional games in Andhra Pradesh, like many traditional games across India, are often played by children. But people of all ages enjoy them, as they bring back happy childhood memories! Even with computers and video games, these traditional games are still super popular in Andhra Pradesh. You can find them played in towns and villages all over India, especially in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab. They are even played in places like Pakistan, Cambodia, and Italy!

Fun Childhood Games in Andhra Pradesh

Let's explore some of the most popular games kids play:

Hide and Seek (Deef)

Hide and Seek is a classic! One player closes their eyes and counts to 50 or 100 while facing a wall or tree. The other players (usually 5 to 10 friends) quickly find a hiding spot. The counter then tries to find everyone. If a hidden player can sneak up and tap the counter's back while saying "deef" without being seen, the counter has to start counting all over again! But if the counter spots someone first, that player is out. The goal is for the counter to find everyone without having to restart. Everyone gets a turn being the counter!

Chain Tag

This game is a fun twist on Tag. When someone is caught, they don't just become "it" alone. They join hands with the person who tagged them, forming a "chain." This chain then chases other players. As more people are caught, they join the chain, making it longer and longer! Only the players at the very ends of the chain can tag new people because they have a free hand. The last person not caught by the chain wins! Sometimes, when a chain gets too long (like four people), it can split into two smaller chains.

Thief and Police (Donga Police)

In this game, players split into two teams: the "Donga" (thief) team and the "Police" team. The Police team tries to catch all the members of the Donga team and bring them to a special "jail" spot. Once all the thieves are caught, the teams switch roles! It's a simple and exciting chase game.

Marbles (Kancha or Goleelu)

Marbles, called "kancha" or "goleelu," were once super famous street games for boys in Andhra Pradesh. Players use their own marble to hit a target marble. If you hit the target, you might win all the marbles from the other players! There are different ways to play, like "moodu kanchalu" (three marbles) or "oka kancha" (one marble). Sometimes, games are just for fun, and no one loses their marbles.

Seven Stones (Satoliya or Pithoo Phod)

This game is enjoyed by both boys and girls. It's simple and doesn't cost anything! You need seven flat stones, each a little smaller than the last, stacked to make a small tower. Players use a cloth handball to knock down the tower from a set distance. Once the tower is down, one team tries to rebuild it while the other team tries to hit them with the ball to get them out. Any number of people can play this fun game.

Spinning Top (Lattu)

The "Lattu," or spinning top, was once one of India's most popular street games. It's still played in some old city areas. A lattu is a wooden toy shaped like a turnip, with a pointed bottom. You wrap a cotton string around the lower part and then pull it quickly to make the top spin! The game involves different tricks and challenges with the spinning top.

Blind Man's Buff (Aankh Micholi)

In Aankh Micholi, one player's eyes are covered with a handkerchief. This player then tries to find and catch the other players in a set area. It's a game of sound and touch, as the blindfolded player has to guess where their friends are!

One-Leg Hop (Langdi Tang)

This is a simple chase game played in a defined area. One person hops on one leg and tries to catch all the other players. If they catch someone, that person might become the new hopper!

Kabaddi

Kabaddi is a popular team sport from South Asia. Two teams stand on opposite sides of a small field. One player, called a "raider," goes into the other team's half. The raider tries to tag members of the opposing team to score points. While doing this, the raider must hold their breath and keep chanting "Kabaddi, Kabaddi!" If the raider needs to breathe or stops chanting before returning to their side, they are out. The other team tries to tackle the raider to stop them from getting back. It's a game of skill, speed, and breath control!

Kho Kho

Kho kho is another exciting team game. It's played with two teams of 12 players, but only 9 play on the field at a time. One team sits in a line between two poles. The other team sends three players onto the field. The sitting team tries to tag the running players before time runs out. It's a fast-paced game that needs quick reflexes and teamwork.

Stick and Billa (Karra Billa)

Karra Billa is played with two wooden sticks. One is a thick, round, short stick (the "billa," about 10cm long), and the other is a longer, thicker stick (the "karra," about 1.5 feet long). The player uses the longer "karra" to hit the smaller "billa." The goal is to hit the billa as far as possible, and then hit it again from where it lands.

Hopping Game (Bechhu Aata)

This game is usually played by girls. Players draw a large rectangle on the ground, about 4 meters long and 3 meters wide. Inside, they draw about five rows, creating separate spaces. The game involves hopping through each of these divided spaces on a single leg. It's a game that tests balance and coordination!

More Traditional Games

Andhra Pradesh has many other traditional children's games! These include:

• Gujjana Goollu
• Toy Wedding (Bomma Pellilu)
• Ramudu Sita
• Kothi Kommachi
• Achenagandlu
• Chendata (Lingosha)
• Chuk Chuk Pulla
• Dagudu Mootalu
• Gudu Gudu Gunjam
• Daadi
• Kappa Gantulu
• Bomma Borusa
• Bachaala Aata
• Kiriki
• London Aata
• Tokkudu Billa (Hopscotch)
• Yedu Penkulata (Lagori)
• Vamanaguntalu
• Naela Banda
• Puli Joodam
• Ashta Chamma - Board Game
• Vaikuntapali
• Nalugu Stambalata
• Nalugu Rallu Aata – Game of 4 stones
• Galli Cricket
• Dili Dhandu
• Raja Rani
• Viri Viri Gumadipandu
• Bandana Bhomma
• Cycle Tyre Racing
• Carrom
• Chess
• Shuttlecock

Some of these games are not played as much today, but they are still an important part of the region's history and culture!