Today we go back to carefree childhood, particularly in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Traditional games and pastimes fueled imagination, creativity, and camaraderie, emphasising skill, precision, and mischief. These games involved spinning tools, tossing bottle caps, and spotting repetitive numbers on licence plates. They fostered friendships, creativity, and competition, all wrapped in innocence.
Kpitinge
This game is played in the sand with something that looks like a pen. Place a broomstick inside the pen, and then roll it up into a sand pile. Each player has to complete a number of throws. If a player misses a throw, the next player will start the game. When the next player makes all of their throws without missing a single one, the first player automatically loses, giving the second player the win, and the first player is punished.
The players usually agree on the punishment before the game starts. The loser usually gets hit on the back of the hand with the tip of the pen. This game requires precision and focus, as each player takes turns throwing the pen. The pressure to not miss a throw increases with each round, adding excitement to the game. The punishment serves as a deterrent, making players strive to perform their best and avoid losing.
Counters ball: A mini football game played with bottle caps.
Counters (bottle caps) did more than just serve as game pieces for children; they also sparked creativity and imagination. Kids would spend hours designing and customising their counters, using colourful markers and stickers to give them unique personalities. It was a way for them to express themselves and showcase their artistic skills while enjoying a fun game with friends.
Back in the day, children went out around bars and around drinking spots to gather these counters. Parents also gathered these counters and gave them to children to go to school to learn how to count. Eleven counters are required for a person to play this game, and each represents a player. Players have to bring their own counters (squads) to play. The two players agree on when to go for halftime, and when they do, they switch positions just like in a normal football game.
Alikoto:
For those who have never played Alikoto before, the goal is to carefully spin a specially made tool until it falls over. You spin the alikoto around to make it spin, and just as it’s about to fall over, you skillfully swipe its base to flip it over. It’s fun until you lose and the other person hits the back of your hands with their “alikoto.”
The materials used to create the ‘alikoto’ can vary, allowing for creativity and resourcefulness in its construction. It’s usually made from a pen top, the plastic covers of batteries, or snail shells. The choice of materials adds to the uniqueness and charm of the ‘alikoto’, as each one can have its own distinct characteristics and challenges.
Tie-tossing (abunor): throwing rubber bands
For many kids, rubber bands were very important. The better you were at the game, the more rubber bands you had. To play, people have to throw rubber bands on the floor from afar. For example, Player A wins when his or her rubber band hits one of the bands that other players have already thrown. That player then gets to keep all of the bands that the band hits.
There are various modes in which tie tossing can be played; some you don’t need to toss, but stretch it, let it go, and the furthest it goes, the more your opponent loses. Another mode involves players taking turns flicking their rubber bands towards a target, with the band closest to the target earning the most points. In another mode, players draw a circle and are made to put their ties in the centre. They then take turns flicking their rubber bands with slippers, trying to hit each other’s ties. The player who is able to flick the rubber bands out of the circle wins.
Kalo: Double number spotting
Finding number plates with the same numbers on them is how you play this game. “Kalo” is the word that a player says when he sees a number plate with a number that is written more than once. A player can say “9-9 kalo” (nine nine kalo) if he or she sees a number plate that says “GE-8299-12.” Whichever player is the first to say the repeated number gets to hit the other player(s) that many times. In this case, the first person to say “9-9 kalo” gets to hit the other hand nine times on the back.
The game can be played while travelling in a car or walking on the street, making it a fun and interactive way to pass the time. Players must keep their eyes peeled for number plates with repeated numbers, adding an element of excitement and competition to the game.
As we bid farewell to the 80s and 90s, we feel nostalgic for the games that shaped our childhoods. These games were more than just games; they were reflections of a simpler time when creativity, skill, and friendship were valued. They serve as a testament to the power of simple joys and lasting friendships.