Kashmir’s traditional games are an integral part of the region’s rich cultural heritage. While modern technology and video games have taken over, the importance of these games cannot be overlooked. Traditional games not only offer entertainment but also foster social interaction and contribute to a child’s overall development. From physical abilities to life skills such as sportsmanship, discipline, and teamwork, these games have much to offer. It’s time to revive these games and preserve Kashmir’s unique cultural identity.

Here is a list of some of traditional Kashmiri games that were played with enthusiasm and had great cultural values. These games would keep children busy and attached with each other.

Hopscotch or Saz Loung:

Saz Loung is one of the oldest and most popular traditional games in Kashmir. It is known as hopscotch in Europe and played by both boys and girls. The game involves drawing a large rectangular box with six smaller boxes inside named Awal, Doum, soum, jaanat, samandar, and jehnum. A smaller box called queen, dullej or batta is drawn at the top. The players have to throw a smaller piece, either a wooden box or a shoe polish box filled with mud, into the first box and cross all six boxes without touching the boundaries with only one leg. After conquering all the boxes, the player has to aim for the doluej and throw the piece into it. The team or person who wins the most boxes is declared the winner, and the losers carry the winners on their shoulders as a celebration gift. This game was a favorite outdoor activity for people of all ages and genders, especially children.

Garam or Santooli:

This game was mostly played by boys. In this outdoor game, the players were chosen to form two different teams; they used to collect the seven small pieces of broken earthen pot or stones that can pile up on each other to form a small tower. This pile was then aimed at by one of the players of the team. He had had to hit it in three attempts by a ball. After hitting the pile, the players run away and try to re compile the pile again.

In the meantime, the players from the opponent team used to hit them by the ball, if they succeeded hitting all the players one by one, the team was declared out. However if they would succeed in re compiling the pile again, they would be given another chance to hit the pile or they would earn the points.

When the teams successfully compile the pile, they would chant Garam!

Bante Zaar/Tanga

Boys used to play this game using small, round pieces of designed glass called Bante. They would dig a hole in the ground and aim for it, throwing the bante into it. The game could be played individually or in teams, and the team that successfully threw all the glass pieces into the hole would win. The winners would get to keep the glass pieces they won by striking them with their fingertips.

Other variations of this game included Reanti Goutte, Pounssi Goutte, and Saazi Goutte. In Reanti Goutte, extracts of soap were used instead of glass pieces, while coins were used in Pounssi Goutte. Money exchange took place in Pounssi Goutte, and players threw coins into the hole and hit the other coins with a heavier one to win them. In Saazi Goutte, players threw a shoe polish box filled with mud or sand into the hole, and those who managed to throw the box into the hole were declared as winners.

Turai Kar:

The game involved an equal number of players divided into teams, who chose a specific spot, usually a pole, to guard from the opposing team. While some players were tasked with protecting the pole, others were designated to attack the opponents. The aim of the game was to successfully kiss the pole, at which point the players would shout and chant “Turai kar”.

Tulai Langun:

One of the traditional games played in Kashmir Tulai Langun was not just a game, but also an exercise that was enjoyed by both boys and girls. The players would pull each other on their backs with their arms twisted in opposite directions. As they played, they would chant, “Tulaay langur tulaan cheas, makhdoom seabun khasan cheas.” This game was considered a perfect exercise for the back and neck, and elders believed that those who played it would never suffer from any back or neck problems.

Joutas:

This outdoor game was played both by boys and girls. In this game, one of the player was blindfolded using a piece of cloth and others would tease him, by pushing him, pulling his clothes and run around him. If the blindfolded person would get hold any of them, the positions would be exchanged. Elders say this game more of concentration and hearing sounds through the wind.

Teekan or Truppan:

One of the games that could be played both indoors and outdoors by both boys and girls of any age. The players used to collect small five stones from the surroundings to play this game. in this game, the players had to pick the stones in order. First throwing a stone in the air and picking up stone from the ground, followed by two stones, three and then four stones. Anyhow if he/she failed to pick all the stones or dropped the one that he or she throws in the air, would be declared out and turn would be passed to next one. Usually four or five players played this game.

Dajji Ball:

The people in the olden time were so rich. But they used to happy with whatever they would have. Their children used to devise new ways to keep themselves amused and healthy. Dajji ball is similar as that of football with only difference being that the ball used is made up of rugs replaced football. This game was usually played by boys in open meadows.

Zaangi Taar:

This game was played by both boys and girls. The players used to sit on the ground with legs stretched and touching each other’s feet. One player was asked to jump over the legs and land on to the ground. But this game had a twist, when the player used to jump, the participants used to pull their legs in the upward direction, making his jump difficult and thus resulting in his downfall.

Woati raz:

This game was played mostly played by girls. The girls used to swing the rope in different directions. Sometimes more than one player used to skip the rope in doubles, singles. According to elders, this game was quite common and beneficial in girls as they would gain height by playing this game.

Playing these games, the child would get every sort of nourishment be it physical or mental. He or She would also learn the various lessons of life. but due to the presence of modern technology, the traditional games of the valley are being replaced by the fast and furious video games, affecting them physically as well as mentally.