A "Taste" of
Zimbabwe
- Most of Zimbabwe occupies
a high, rolling plateau studded with rock outcrops.
- The name "Zimbabwe" means "houses of
stones".
- These "houses of stones" were built
between the 8th and 15th centuries in southeastern
Zimbabwe.
Chigora
Danda
Origin
This game was attributed to Zimbabwe, but it's
thought it may have originally come from India because in one of the
country's languages danda means "pole" or a "long stick" and there is
a game there called Guli Danda. However, the rhythmic tapping and the
clapping of Chigoro Danda is African.
How to Play
- The players alternate so that three play
each game.
- Place two of the poles (4 to 5 feet long)
on the ground parallel to each other, 4 feet apart. The third pole
is laid across the middle of the poles. Two players sit at each
end of the cross bar, and the third is in the middle, straddling
and the cross pole.
- The two seated players lift the cross pole
up and down, tapping the parallel poles. The surrounding players
clap, and a rhythm is established. Start very slowly.
- The third player hops off.
- The raising and a lowering of the clapping
and hopping increase in speed. The game ends when the third player
fails to hop on the cross pole.
- The players rotate so everyone has a turn
hopping and manipulating the cross pole. Someone can time how long
the third player stays in each game, but probably more useful to
have each player keep count. (An adult supervisor can help make
sure the game doesn't become fast-paced enough to cause an
injury.)
Source: Hopson,
Dr. Darlene Powell, Hopson, Dr. Derek S., and Clavin, Thomas. "Juba
This and Juba That" Simmon and Schuster, 1996. p.
36
Kudoda
Origin
You'll quickly notice that this game is a
familiar one. An original version, often played with stones or
pebbles, can be found in Zimbabwe.
How to Play
- Players sit in a circle.
- Place the bowl (preferably a metal one) in
the center. Fill it with about 20 marbles.
- The first player takes a marble and tosses
it into the air. (Not too high!) He/she then tries to pluck as
many marbles as he/she can before catching the tossed
marble.
- Players take turns. When all the marbles
have been collected, the person with the most is the
winner.
Source: Hopson,
Dr. Darlene Powell, Hopson, Dr. Derek S., and Clavin, Thomas. "Juba
This and Juba That" Simmon and Schuster, 1996.
p.70
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