{Carousel Research - 1 of 3}

Arabian Knights
When would you guess that the idea of merry-go-rounds, or carousels first started to emerge? Surprisingly, the history of carousels began over 900 years ago in Arabia, where horses were used for many everyday tasks. Horses were also used for games, however. One such game involved balls of clay that were filled with perfume. This ball was tossed back and forth between a group of Arabians as they rode around in a circle. This game may sound easy, but it took great coordination to play. Only the most talented men were able to play. Because many were soldiers, the game became known as "Little War."

Kyle on the Carousel at Six Flags Theme Park

"Little Wars" All Over Europe
In 1100, the Crusades began, and European soldiers came to fight the Arabians. One day, some Europeans saw the Arabians playing their game of "Little War." They liked the game and brought it back to Europe with them after the Crusades were over. Soon many countries around Europe began playing "Little War." Countries such as France, Italy, Spain, and of course, Arabia were all playing this game. The name carousel came about in Spain, where the Spanish word for "Little War" is carosella.

Do You Fancy My New Riding Costume?
As the game became more popular, carousel was not just about riding-it was about looking good while riding. Players dressed up in elegant costumes and decorated their horses beautifully. Some wore white powder wigs while they played. As people gathered to watch, musicians played. Afterwards, prizes were given to the best players.

Ex-spear-imenting With New Rules
In 1630, spears and rings were introduced to the game and balls were thrown out all together. In this new set of rules, the rings dangled from poles or trees by brightly colored ribbons. As the players rode in circles around the pole, they tried to get their spear through the ring. If they were successful, the ring and the ribbon were torn off of the pole as they rode. All the players riding around with the ribbons fluttering made for a wonderful sight, making the game fun for spectators as well. Soon common people wanted to play the game as well, and carousels began to pop up all over Europe at fairs.

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