“Culture is told to be a way of life of a group of people, the type of food, games, religious background festivals and the like deem it fit to be establish as a group of people”.
In recent times, a lot has changed over the years, where certain peculiar cultures have been undermined or has lost it’s credibility in society. A particular kind of culture which involves a child’s play (games) is but no where to be found on a typical Saturday holiday for adolescent of school going age.
Having a stunch background from an African home; huh… pretty much serves you right to be delved into this specific atmosphere. A typical Ghanaian setting is no stranger to these folklore games, which was a perfect emulation of an African culture. There used to be the AMPE, PILOLOO, CHASKELE, TUMAATU(Hopscotch) ‘NKURO’ to name but just a few! This was an absolute way to start socialization at an early age.
These trad games gave children a sense of humour and belonging of oneself in a society, it enhanced communication prowess as well. These moments were nothing but the best of feeling one could have as a child. The most distinctive aspect was children living their best life like there was no tomorrow!!. Huh; that FEELING Gosh!!
A ‘generational hazard’ for one way or the other, has cropped out these simple but memorable experiences, its more primitive NOW! One could argue that; probably these games exist in the villages; but how many adolescents do visit the villages offlate?? Unlike those days when it was popular in ‘Compound Houses’ and schools.
The more recent addiction to add to the spectrum, is the use of Social Media, where both adult and children Bread on a Daily; not withstanding the fact that social media has it’s own social advantage; and it’s worth exploring that platform.
On the contrary, those indegineous games can be an infusion of the old and new experience to the “THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK”… without it not been a non – existence kind of games to the generation at heart!
The traditional games are a dint of self- belonging and asuch should be embodied in the childhood experience and it’s never too late to pick up from where we left off… ( Sankofa Y3n Kyiri) – meaning going back to the “oldies” is worth every Penny!
In the light of this; the question still remains; “WHERE DID THESE INDEGINEOUS GAMES OF OUR HERITAGE GO”??? THESE ARE QUESTIONS WE NEED TO ANSWER AS A COLLECTIVE!!
Abrewa 