“These games have played a big role in strengthening social bonds and promoting friendly relations between children living in the same neighborhood and helping them enjoy their spare time in good spirits,” a report carried by the Saudi Press Agency said.
These games, inherited from previous generations, have been instrumental in preserving the Kingdom’s culture and heritage.
Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al-Hawass, manager of the troupe, said most of the traditional games were played during important occasions such as marriages, Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha celebrations and weekend holidays.
“These days, the games are also played at summer and winter festivals.”
Al-Hawass said his troupe presents a variety of these ancient games to an audience of senior citizens in Mudnib. “Some of them correct our team members while they play different games,” he pointed out.
According to him, there are about 30 traditional games, some exclusively for girls.
They include Taq Taq Taqiah, Wahda Wahda, Sabt Al-Sabut, Tar Al-Tair, Um Thalath, Dawama, Danana and Saba Hajar.
Taq Taq Taqiah is one of the interesting games, Al-Hawass said.
“This game is played by a group of seven to 10 children. They sit forming a circle and one gets up and walks around the circle repeating “Taq Taq Taqiah” and leaves his ghutra (head dress) behind one of the boys.
The one who received the ghutra will then chase the boy who put it behind him to attempt to strike him with the ghutra until he reaches and sits in the vacant place,” he explained.
Describing the game Saba Hajar, Al-Hawass said it tested the children’s precision and aim. It is played by two pairs of children. One pair stacks a pile of seven stones while the other pair attempt to knock it down by throwing a small ball at it from about ten meters distant.
The winner is decided by which pair succeeds in its task — the stackers keeping the pile intact or the demolishers preventing it.
