SOME TRADITIONAL FOLK GAMES IN BANGLADESH
Traditionally played folk games significantly impact psychophysical behavior—the positive effects of sports participation and active recreation on physical health assist in developing strength and balance. In light of this, our social development entrepreneur should encourage people to adopt physical activities as a normal lifestyle. We, including the upcoming generation, must cultivate local inheritance, bonding, achievements, and team movement inspiration from rural sports.
Boat racing (‘Nouka Baich’ in Bangla) is a traditional historical part of Bangladesh’s culture. In the riverside areas of Bangladesh, it is a prevalent sport. During the Bengali months of Bhadra and Ashwin, boat races happen in our country. The way boatmen carry out the boat during ‘Nouka Baich’ is lovely, and many people make the crowd watch it live. To encourage ‘Nouka Baich,’ a few colorful national boat races are organized in our country every year, and this game has immense popularity worldwide.
Bali Khela is a unique folk wrestling game in Bangladesh, popular in the Chittagong area as a traditional sport. However, it has an old historical trend, the present-day Bali Khela in 1909 by Abdul Jabbar Saodagar. He aimed to organize the country’s youth against British rule and prepare them for fighting, as Bali Khela stood for a game of strength. Bali Khela is scheduled from Chaitra to Baishakh throughout the Chittagong district; with a three-day fair occasion during the new year, Jabbar’s Bali Khela attracts local crowds in Laldighi Chittagong.
The form of Lathi Khela comes from traditional activities from Lathials, who had some contributions to the cultural arena in the form of a mock fight between the parties. During the nineteenth century, wealthy farmers tried to display their wealth and influence by inviting lathials to play Lathi Khela on their compound. Thus, Lathi Khela, as a folk game, has gained some popularity in very few areas in Bangladesh. Lathikhela teaches self-defense with sticks. Lathi Khela is played only during certain puja rituals and a few festivals.
Ha-du-du is one of the most popular rural games in Bangladesh. Known by different names in different regions, this game has various rules. Despite its popularity, ha-du-du had no definite rules, especially in the villages. A common practice in this game is a few interesting standard rules like uttering a common word ‘dash’ into the opponent team’s area and touching some player or wrestling out to come back safely without releasing his breath, thereby scoring a point for his team. In 1972 Ha-du-du was given the name Kabadi and the status of a National Game in Bangladesh.
Kutkut (Ekka-Dokka) is a traditional Bangladeshi game primarily played in rural areas. It is a very entertaining playground game, and generally, girls are attracted to this. A player tosses a small object into the numbered pattern of rectangles outlined on the ground and then jumps through the spaces to retrieve the object. There is no limit to players; one alone can enjoy this game. It is an ancient game passed along from generation to generation, which holds excellent physical and mental freedom for our children.
Danguli is one of the most favorite traditional children’s games in Bangladesh. It is an amateur youth sport in rural areas and small towns nationwide. A trendy boys’ game played by two teams of five to six players. A two-foot-long stick, danda, and a five- to six-inch twig, or guli or phutti, are used to play the game. Any number of children can usually play a team game. The rules are different everywhere, and you can have fun making your own rules. This game is a traditional symbol of our folk society.
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