Once the word gaming comes up, most people immediately think of consoles, screens and the latest edition of video games. However, gaming has been with humans long before the birth of the screens. Technically, something as dark as the Russian roulette is also considered a game (relax, it is not recommended to play)
It does prove one thing: gaming is centered around rules, strategy, interaction and taking risk. It is not limited to the screens and controllers. Africans have been enjoying their own versions of gaming before the emergence of the first on-screen game.
As children, there were games we played by being involved. Nobody really explained the rules, but you’d catch on after crying once or a few times. Kyemp3 was a risky game to play. It means to share equally. It’s usually played by 2 people and you have to share your food if you do not yell ‘No kyemp3’ once you get your meal.
No Tutorials, No Mercy
Zanzama will have you crying your eyes out because you forgot to say the safe word when you sat down, triggering a heavy knock from other players. Alikoto will fill your hands with holes and your eyes with tears. Ampe is a prediction game mostly played by girls, usually accompanied by shouting and or singing.
There are games that require keen observation and self awareness. Aanto w’akyiri meaning ‘it’s not behind you’. Participants sit in a circle and the moderator runs behind them with a small object. They then place the object quietly behind a participant and run around, singing the song ‘aanto w’akyiri’ as the participants respond. If the participant doesn’t notice by the time they make a trip, they tap them lightly. If the participant notices, they chase the moderator till they occupy the space the participant got up from.
Table and Board Games
The point of paying ludo isn’t to win, it’s to make sure the other players lose! Board and table games are when figurative weapons are brandished. One more wrong move could cost you the game and your pride. Oware will have you calculating moves like you’re on the battlefield and your territory is at stake. Chess will have you perplexed and replaying the match in your head, wondering where you went wrong. Monopoly, draft and scrabble will have you watching your opponents with barely concealed accusations, eager to accuse them of falsifying moves and claim your victory. These games sharpen thought processes, teaches patience and blends strategy with social interaction. Some give glimpses into history and human psychology.
Card Games: Trust Yourself
Have you ever witnessed or experienced a game of Uno or Poker? If you have, you know it’s war. Once the cards are dealt, friendships go out the door. Trust is put on hold. Everyone is an enemy and you can trust no one. Your pride is on the line.
Once a while, there may be an alliance to take down the bigger threat but that is just a ticking time bomb. Especially when there’s always that one person who seems to be winning more often. Uno was such a success that there were variants of it: Uno Flip, Uno Show ‘Em No Mercy, Uno All Wild. For card games like What Do You Meme and Never Have I Ever, they do not draw blood but there will always be a winner and a loser.
Sports
The ones that leave you sweaty, dirty and full of adrenaline. Everyone is playing to win, pushing themselves beyond their limits. Skills are put to the test, pride is held on to for dear life. Arguments might break out but the sweet taste of victory is worth it all. The minute you score, the second you pass the finish line, you realize that nothing can burst your bubble. Each sport has its own set of rules and strategies to win. However, what makes sports more exciting for many are the dynamics and high stakes that go along with them. The teamwork and split second decisions are usually the deciding factor between the winner and the loser.
Why Non-Digital Games Matter
Physical games create a kind of connection that doesn’t require an internet connection. Show up, play and get a buddy. There are no cheat codes for physical games, although you may get someone to coach you through. You are still required to learn the skill behind the game. Video games come with cheat codes and aim bots that by-pass the need to learn the necessary skills.
In this regard, physical games challenge you physically and creatively. These games create an avenue for cultivating a culture that stems from creativity, inclusivity and community.
Broaden Your Definition of Gaming
Gaming is centred around engagement, creativity, strategy and more important, fun (although there may be a few tears and a bruised ego). These exist beyond glowing screens and consoles that have become more common these days. So take a break from the controller, call some friends and have some bouts of vindictive ludo and uno games to rediscover what gaming entails. It’s a lot more extensive than you thought and spoiler alert, you might like it more than you thought.
