Playtime

“Deep meaning often lies in childish play.” -Johann Friedrich von Schiller, German poet

I wanted to follow up on my post about the Rubik’s cube because although it may be a relatively new game, the tradition of passing folk knowledge about games is age-old. Games and puzzles have existed to provoke the minds of others and just to have fun. Although this is true, playing games is also a folk knowledge in the way it is passed down and used to connect cultures, families, and friends.

One example can be found in ancient Egypt with the game Senet. (To try it out click here) It’s a 3x10 board where the two players each have 5 pieces (These pieces were called 'ibau' which means 'dancers' in Egyptian). Based on how many cast sticks are pointed up, the pieces move forward until they’re off the board. The goal is to get all the pieces off the board. An interesting history of Senet is that it was originally a two-player game. However, during the New Kingdom period of the Egyptian empire, a game in progress would often appear painted on tomb walls as a one-player game where the opponent was a spirit from the afterlife. Perhaps playing simple board games has a deeper meaning than just instant fun, it’s a way we bond with our family, our friends. It may be a competition but also a connection between ourselves and those we love, even if they have died.

While researching ancient games, I also came across Mancala, which sounded familiar. As I read further, I realized that this same game I played as a child with my sister originates to ancient times. It is uncertain whether the game originated in Africa or Arabia, but through archaeological digs, scientists have unearthed limestone slabs that were used for the game as far back as 5,000 BCE. The game includes two rows of cup-shaped holes where a handful of beads or pieces would be moved from one hole to another. I remember as a young girl, my sister and I lost many of the pieces we had, so we improvised with Cheerios. Even in modern times when we’re playing a game with cereal instead of stones in a tablet made in China instead of made from a rock, we can feel connected to the past.

Games are an interesting type of folk knowledge because they are taught within families, or from friend to friend. They aren’t taught on a chalkboard but rather around a coffee table. This allows all types of games from mancala to playing cards to Rubik’s cubes to become folk knowledge. Although the games may vary over time it is the act of passing on games through families that remains a common thread in the fabric of history.