Throwback Thursday: 10 Classic Nigerian Games We Used to Play as Kids
Do you remember the good old days when we used to play outside all day long? There were no smartphones or video games to keep us entertained, so we had to be creative with our fun. We played all sorts of games, from simple ones like tag and hide-and-seek to more complex ones like In and Out and Soke. In this blog post, I’ll take you on a trip down memory lane and share 10 classic Nigerian games we played as kids. These games were a lot of fun, and they helped us develop important skills like teamwork, cooperation, and problem-solving.
Childhood Games
1. Who is in the garden?: This is a classic game of tag that is played in a circle that is started by forming a big circle, ‘Like your mother’s cooking pot.’ One person is the “it” person, and they stand in the middle of the circle. The other players stand around the circle and sing a song. When the song is over, the “it” person runs around the circle and tries to tag someone. The person who is tagged becomes the new “it” person. Here is the song:
Leader: Who is in the garden?
Others: a little fine boy/girl
Leader: Can I come and see her/him?
Others: No no no no, if you have a baby, you can come and see her,
Leader: Oya, follow me a little girl.
2. Name place animals and things
Gone are those days when we used to play games and still learn new things. This is a memory and intelligent game that is played in a group. Each member has a piece of paper with all the letters of the alphabet written in a row and the four headers: Name, Animal, Place, and Thing written across. Members take turns and call any alphabet of their choice and they are all required to fill in the requirements with the called alphabet used as the first word. With each successful fill, 10 points are awarded and the person with the overall highest score is the winner.
3. Police and thief: This is a game of tag that is played by two teams. One team is the “police” and the other team is the “thieves.” The police try to tag the thieves. Trust me, no one wants to be on the thieves’ team then because they need to avoid being tagged. The first team to tag all of the players on the other team wins.
4. In and Out: This is a competitive game that is played in a group. Each player chooses an acronym, such as USA or UK. The leader calls out the acronyms, and the player who has that acronym runs around the circle. It goes thus
Leader: In and out
Others: Center
Leader: I call On
Others: Yessss
Leader: I call On USA
If the leader catches someone who is not running, that person is out and the player wins.
5. Ten Ten This is a game of coordination that is played in a group. The players stand in a circle and hold hands. The leader says the numbers 1–10, and the players jump up and down in the corresponding number of times. If a player makes a mistake, they are out. The last player remaining wins.
6. Willie Willie Wille Willie Right: This is a game of balance that is played in a group. The players stand in a circle and hold hands. The leader sings a song, and the players sway back and forth. If a player falls, they are out. The last player remaining wins and It goes thus
Leader: Willie Willie Wille Willie righT
Others: Pa pa pa
Leader: Mummy in the kitchen cooking rice
Others: Pa pa pa
Leader: Daddy in the parlour watching film
Others: Pa pa pa
Leader: Children in the garden playing ball
Others: E gooooo
Leader: Change your style, Another style, be like that no shaking no talking
If you are caught shaking or laughing during the process, you are out
7. Boju Boju This game is what is known as hide-and-seek today. One person is the “it” person, and they close their eyes and count to 10. The other players hide in the room. When the “it” person is finished counting, they open their eyes and try to find the other players. The first player to be found becomes the new “it” person.
8. Tinko Tinko Girls loved playing this game. It involves two partners or a group of people facing each other, clapping and interchanging palms and slamming the hands of their partner in a rhythmic pattern while singing the theme song; Tinko! Tinko!! Tinkoko Tinko!
9. Soke: This is a game of skill that is played with rubber bands. The players stand in a circle and throw their rubber bands into a pile. The player who gets the most rubber bands in the pile wins.
10. After Roud One: After the first round original panadol extra, o tun gbe de This is the song we used to sing in the chorus when we played this game with our friends. You play this game with your finger, each player chooses a number, and when your number appears on the table, you win. Whoever stands last is the loser and will be hit on the hand by others.
I know I said 10 games but there are these two games that are also worth talking about
The first one is played when two or more players arrange their rubber band inside a circle if a particular player’s rubber land on another player’s own he goes to the front and packs all and just leaves one behind. I know you remember those fights after a win and how you dipped your rubber in kerosene to expand them.
The other one is a game of jumping that is played in a sandpit. The players draw a rectangle in the sand and jump from one box to the next. The first player to reach the end of the rectangle wins. If you know the name of these two games drop it in the comment section.
Conclusion
In a world where technology reigns supreme, let us not forget the simple joys that shaped our childhood and moulded us into who we are today. These 10 classic Nigerian games carry with them the essence of tradition, community, and the unbreakable spirit of playfulness. As we close this chapter of reminiscence, let us strive to keep these games alive, passing them down from one generation to the next, and cherishing the unifying power they hold. So, let the echoes of our laughter and the echoes of these classic games resonate through time, reminding us of the power of togetherness and the magic of our cherished Nigerian heritage.
I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane. Do you remember any other classic Nigerian games that we used to play as kids? And what types of games did you play back then? Share your memories in the comments below!
