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

Contents

iii Table of Contents Acknowledgements........................................................... ix Preface............................................................................... xi Introduction....................................................................... xv Chapter One: Beneath African Traditional Culture.............................................................................. 1 Defining Indigenous Knowledge Systems.......................... 6 The Encounter of Indigenous Knowledge Systems with Globalization in Africa...................................................... 8 Chapter Two: Children’s Traditional Games as Indigenous Knowledge Systems................................... 17 The Role of Children’s Traditional Games to the Young Cognitive Development........................................................ 20 Moral Development of the young...................................... 23 Good Sportsmanship Development of the Young............. 26 Towards The Revival of Children’s Traditional Games..... 27 Chapter Three: Study area and Research Problem..... 35 Research Methodologies in Identifying Children’s Traditional Games in Southeastern Zimbabwe.................................... 36 Ethnography........................................................................... 36 Participant Observation......................................................... 39 Interviews............................................................................. 39 Questionnaires...................................................................... 40 Categorizing Children’s Traditional Games in Southeastern Zimbabwe........................................................................... 41 Chapter Four: Courtship/Love games......................... 45 Sipoti-sipoti/Pote-pote (Round and Round)....................... 45 iv Nyuchi idzo (Stinging Bees over There)............................. 46 Sarurawako (Choose Yourself A Partner).......................... 48 Sungamusoro (White Tying/ Tie the Head of the Gourd).49 Tsikidzi Muramu............................................................... 50 Amai Ndakanaka (Mother I Am Beautiful)....................... 51 Chapter Five: Games That Increase Creativity, Accuracy and Motor skills............................................................... 53 Tsoro (Draughts)................................................................. 53 Nhodo (Jacks)..................................................................... 56 Zvirahwe (Riddles)............................................................. 58 Nhuri/Nhicha.................................................................... 60 Kana Ndikadai (If I Do This)........................................... 61 Kuumba (Modelling With Clay)........................................ 63 Hondo Yemaonde (The War of Figs)................................ 63 Chapter Six: Games That Teach Endurance, determination and Increase Physical Fitness............. 65 Zinyekenyeke (Which Is the Weakest Point?)................... 65 Mukuru Ndiani Jongwe (Cock Fighting)............................ 67 Ngunzi/Mombe-mombe (Bull Fighting)............................ 68 Nhanzva/Mutserendende (Rock Sliding).......................... 69 Mutsimba (Wrestling)........................................................ 69 Chamukamhina (One Legged Man)................................... 70 Mai Vachigere Danda (Mother Is Still Seated on the Log)........................................................................... 72 Mudhongi (Kicking Donkeys).............................................. 73 Maonde (Tug-Of-War)....................................................... 74 Chihwerure........................................................................ 76 Musvetu/Kuuruka (High Jump)........................................ 77 v Chapter Seven: Name Games/Games to Remember Names.............................................................................. 79 Du-du Muduri (Guess What His Name Is)......................... 79 Zengera Uyo Mutii? (Guess What Tree Is That)..................80 Haiwa Ndoziva (Yes I know)............................................ 82 Tsatsa Nditsatsa................................................................. 83 Bata Musoro (Touch Your Head)....................................... 84 Gumbe-kumbe.................................................................... 85 Njiva Yaitenderera (The Dove Was Flying Round and Round)............................................................................... 86 Ndiani Mushava? (Who Is Light Brown in Complexion?)..87 Nzou Tiza Wakaringa Zuva (Elephant Run Eastwards).... 88 Chinungu............................................................................. 89 Chapter Eight: Games That Teach Vigilance, Coordination and Safety Rules....................................... 91 Mapere (Hyenas)............................................................... 91 Havo Vanhu/Ona Vanhu (Check Those People).............. 92 Gondo Guru (Big Eagle)..................................................... 93 Wenga/Hwerahwe............................................................. 94 Tsuro Nembwa (Dog Hunt)............................................... 95 Zai Raora (Rotten Egg)........................................................ 97 Tsvubvu Dzaibva (The Jackal Fruits Are Rippen)............. 97 Chamuvandwamuvandwa (Hide-And-Seek/ Scavenger Hunt)................................................................. 99 Tsuro Darika Mutanda (River-bank).................................. 99 Nzou Nzombe (Elephant Bull)............................................ 100 Chamutandavare/Maringa-ringa.......................................... 101 Mwoto Mugomo (Fire in the Mountain)............................ 102 Chibatamabvi....................................................................... 103 Njiva Ine Mavara (Turtle Dove)........................................ 104 Chiutsi-utsi......................................................................... 105 Chipakirwa/Fuva................................................................ 106 vi Chapter Nine: Games That Teach Hygiene and Ethics of Care.............................................................................. 107 Chidhangachidhanga (The Enclosure)............................... 107 Amai VaRona (Rona’s Mother).......................................... 108 Tauya Kuzoona Mary (Mary and Friends)......................... 109 Mahumbwe/Matakanana/Matope (Playing House)........... 110 Chapter Ten: Lullabies/Soothing Songs....................... 113 Ehuhuwe! (Be Quiet Baby!)............................................... 113 Mwana Wenyu Wandikangaidza Vakoma (Sister Your Baby Confuses)........................................................................... 115 Rururu Mwana (Calm Down Baby).................................... 116 Maregarege/Ndiwe ani? (Maregarege/Who Are You?)...... 117 Chapter Eleven: Counting games................................ 119 Kuverenga Nokutsinhira (Counting With Emphasis)......... 119 Motsiro (One).................................................................... 120 Kapotsa (The First)............................................................ 121 Mutsepete/Mugodobo (Tumbleweed)............................... 121 Chapter Twelve: Swimming games............................... 123 Chitsvambe......................................................................... 123 Heri Sadza Mutekwe (Mutekwe Here Is Stiff Porridge)..... 124 Nhupe Yakabata Mwana Mukati/Chamunyurududu......... 125 Chapter Thirteen: Seasonal games............................... 127 Kwedu Kune Nyimo (There Are Roundnuts at our Place)........................................................................... 127 Mvura Naya-naya (Come Now Rainfall)............................ 128 Kusika Nyimo (Rotating Roundnuts)................................ 129 Ngano (Folktale)............................................................... 131 vii Chapter Fourteen: Recreational and Socialization Games.............................................................................. 135 Pamusana Pangu Panei? (What is At My Back?)................ 135 Zvembudzi (Goats Play)................................................... 136 Banga RaManjai-njai (Manjai-njai’s Knife)........................ 137 Dzuwe/Juwe (Swinging Game)......................................... 138 Gadha/Fishu-Fishu (Skipping Game)................................ 139 Kurwisanisa Zvipfuyo (Setting Domestic Animals to Fight One Another)..................................................................... 140 Chapter 15: Hunting Games.......................................... 143 Kuteya Shiri Neurimbo (Catching Birds with Bird Lime)...143 Kuteya Mbeva Nemariva (Catching Mice with Trapping Stones)............................................................................... 144 Kuteya Shiri Nemhiripiri (Catching Birds using chilli)........ 144 Kufura Shiri (Bird Shooting)................................................. 145 viii ...