Street games

Street games of Nepal

Sit in front of your friend and watch as she frantically waves her forefinger in front of your face saying “Machha machha maachha” (Fishy fishy fishy). Try to catch that finger only to be disappointed as you grab a thumb and your friend smugly says “Byagutho” (Frog). This is the most basic of games that you played growing up in Nepal. The game follows the rules of fishing and the disappointment faced when all you end up with is an inedible frog.

Thankfully, Nepali street games are not limited to just the annoying wagging of fingers. Many games come with accessories such as stones, sticks, a ball or even a bunch of rubber bands. They all have variable rules and can be played almost everywhere. A standard requirement is open space, an empty street or field. In the age of Nintendo Wii and Sony Play Statio, these games bring back fond memories of a simpler life.

Chungi This game involves a lot of rubber and a lot of legwork. It is easier than dancing and probably cheaper, especially if the dancing you indulge in actually requires grace. Chungi is played using a rubber ball made up of rubber bands. It is similar to Hacky Sack.

The first objective of Chungi is to make a rubber ball (a chungi) that bounces just right. This involves buying a lot of rubber bands and tying them in the middle to create a ball that is slightly flat on the top and bottom. This helps with the balancing of the ball as you kick it with your feet. The rules of this game vary as you go along. The more traditional way of playing Chungi is to count the number of times you manage to bounce the chungi with your feet as you keep it up in the air. You are not allowed to use your hands during the process and should you accidently use your hands you are immediately disqualified from the game. Use of both feet is allowed as is using any other body part but remember: no hands!!

Another twist to the game is when you finish a certain number of bounces you twist your body and back kick the chungi to see how far it lands. This is also used among experienced players to measure their expertise with the chungi. One method of playing it is in a circle as each player tries their hardest to keep the chungi in the air. The chungi is passed from player to player. The aim of the game is to perform tricks with the chungi without letting it drop to the ground. The fun part about Chungi, as with most Nepali games, is that you make up the rules as you go along so go ahead, convince that first timer that he needs to pat his head and rub his belly while he bounces the chungi.