The Struggle of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems in an Age of Globalization: A Case for Children�s Traditional Games in S

Chapter Fourteen: Recreational and Socialization Games

135 Chapter Fourteen Recreational and Socialization Games As highlighted in the introduction of this book, the Shona culture is a rich and complete culture. In terms of children’s traditional games, it had all sorts of games, some meant to develop the intellect, physical body, spiritual and moral characters. The other games were also meant for entertainment and socialization. In this chapter, I focus on the latter. P Pamusana Pangu Panei? (What Is At My Back?) This game teaches socialization as well as promoting physical fitness. The game is played by children of either or both sexes together. To play ‘Pamusana pangu panei?’ (What is at my back?), children come together and form two groups, A and B. Those in group A kneel on the ground in a big circle. Group B members stand behind group A with hands placed on the back of those in front. Those kneeling begin singing, ‘Pamusana pangu paneiko?’ and the standing group answers, ‘Pane chakamera’. As soon as they come to the part, ‘Dhidhidhi tendeu’, the kneeling group turn their heads sideways trying to check what exactly are on their backs. The song goes: Leader: Pamusana pangu paneiko (What is on my back?) Chorus: Pane chakamera (There is a growth) L: Pamusana pangu paneiko (What is on my back?) C: Pane chakamera (There is a growth) 136 L: Pamusana pangu paneiko (What is on my back?) C: Pane chakamera (There is a growth) L: Pamusana pangu paneiko (What is on my back?) C: Pane chakamera (There is a growth) All in Group A: Dhidhidhi tendeuku (Action of turning heads sideways) As soon as they come to the part, ‘Dhidhidhi tendeuku’, they all look sideways trying to check what is on their back. The game would end when the children are tired. Z Zvembudzi (Goats Play) This is a recreational and social game played by both boys and girls. While the game is meant for recreation, it can be viewed as a philosophical wonder by the young on the physical nature of the animal known as goat (mbudzi). As the young are used to see their fathers at home with beards around their chins and mothers without, they are perplexed when seeing both he-goats and she-goats with beards. Their amazement is expressed in this game, ‘zvembudzi’ (goats play). To play ‘zvembudzi’ (goats play), children kneel on the ground in a big circle. They face inside the ring with their hands spread inwards. One of the participants is chosen to start the game by singing as others respond moving their hands backwards and forth. As the game progresses the participants chant the following song: Leader: Zvembudzi (Goat’s nature) 137 Chorus: Zvandikanganisa (It has disturbed my mind) L: Baba ndebvu (Father with beards) C: Zvandikanganisa (It has disturbed my mind) L: Mai ndebvu (Mother with beards) C: Zvandikanganisa (It has disturbed my mind) L: Zvembudzi (Goat’s nature) C: Zvandikanganisa (It has disturbed my mind) L: Mai ndebvu, baba ndebvu (Both mother and father with beards) C: Zvandikanganisa (It has disturbed my mind). The game ends when children are now too tired to continue playing the game or want to play a different game. B Banga RaManjai-njai (Manjai-njai’s knife) This game teaches perseverance, team work (living and working together), cooperation and socialization. The game is played by both boys and girls. To play ‘banga raManjai-njai’ (Manjai-njai’s knife), a participant is chosen to hide an object in the soil normally sand. This is carefully and secretely done such that other participants do not notice where the object has been hidden. Other participants are then asked to find out the object while kneeling down. As they look for the object, they chant the song: Leader: Banga raManjai-njai rarasika, baba iwe N’ombe! (Manjai-njai’s knife is lost, oh father N’ombe) Chorus: Ah, ririmo mudendere! (Ah, it is in the nest!) L: Banga raManjai-njai rarasika, baba iwe N’ombe! (Manjai-njai’s knife is lost, oh father N’ombe) C: Ah, ririmo mudendere! (Ah, it is in the nest!) 138 L: Banga raManjai-njai rarasika, baba iwe N’ombe! (Manjai-njai’s knife is lost, oh father N’ombe) C: Ah, ririmo mudendere! (Ah, it is in the nest!) L: Banga raManjai-njai rarasika, baba iwe N’ombe! (Manjai-njai’s knife is lost, oh father N’ombe) C: Ah, ririmo mudendere! (Ah, it is...