Top 7+ Traditional Games of Arunachal Pradesh

Imagine a land where strength is tested with bamboo, balance is mastered on a single log, and agility channels the spirit of a mythical creature. This isn’t a scene from a fantasy novel, this is from the lands of Arunachal Pradesh, Yes that North Eastern Indian state. Here still people are rooted in their culture and old-age pastimes are still fun irrespective of Modern India where every 5-year-old is equipped with a mobile phone instead of being in the gardens exploring their childhood.

So ditch those digital screens and join me in discovering the adventures of the Traditional Games of Arunachal Pradesh and explore the rich heritage of the Northeast-  a hidden gem of Indian culture, where people still celebrate skill and community.

Best Traditional Games of Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh has a rich heritage of traditional games that offer more than just entertainment. These games are beyond it and help in improving the physical health of the individual. Various communities play traditional games in Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting the bond between their culture and surroundings. Here are the most popular games that these communities tend to play and engage with.

1. Hole Taso Dukanaram

Nestled in the eastern Himalayas, Arunachal has a lot of indigenous and one such is Hole Taso, This traditional game of Arunachal draws inspiration from the mythical creature Hole Taso. This animal resembles the feline(cat) family and moves beating its chest with alternate paws while holding one leg high.

How to play Hole Taso Dukanaram?

This game tests a person’s overall strength movements, agility, and coordination. Participants engaged in this game need to mimic the Hole Taso’s posture and movements. They need to imitate the animal’s posture in this game, which rhythmically strikes their chest with alternate hands all while maintaining balance by holding one leg.

Rules of the Game:

1. The game can be played individually or with a team.
2. The game can be played on any flat, open area with enough space for participants to move freely.
3. The game can be timed or continue until a player loses balance
4. The player who demonstrates the best form, balance, and endurance for the longest duration wins.

Benefits of the game:

• Boosts Focus & Concentration
• Help in Community Building
• Enhances overall Agility
• Develops overall Hand-Eye and Body Coordination
• Tests Strength and Core

This game serves as a testament to a deep connection with the Arunachali people and their folklore, a celebration of physical strength, and a window into the vibrant culture of their heritage.

See Also: Lucky Spin and Win Cash with Ludo Bheem

2. Porok- Cock Fighting

Porok/ Pamin Sinam or cock fighting is a popular traditional game in the Northeast state of India. This cock fighting game isn’t the actual animal fighting game but is all about balance and hopping. Players grab one leg behind their back and hop on the other foot. The goal is to push your opponent out of a drawn circle on the ground

How to Play the Cock-Fighting Game?

1. Each player stands inside the drawn circle.
2. Now, get in the posture: Grab one leg behind your back, holding it with your hand close to your buttocks. Place your other hand on the opposite shoulder.
3. Begin hopping on your free leg.
4. All you are required to do is push your opponent out of the circle using your body and hopping motion.
5. Make sure you don’t grab or trip your opponent while trying to push them out.
6. Push all the players out and you’ll be the winner. 

Rules of the Game:

1. Two players are required to play(traditionally) but now can be multi-player.
2. A flat, open space with enough room for participants to move freely.
3. The game would be played inside of the circle only.
4. Players thrown out of the circle would be eliminated from the game.
5. Don’t grab or trip your opponents while trying to nudge your opponent.

Benefits of the Game:

• Hopping motion strengthens your leg muscles.
• Develops Determination & Perseverance.
• Maintaining the posture engages your core muscles, promoting overall stability.
• Helps establish Balance & Coordination.

3. Hinam Turnam

This traditional game from the land of the Arunachal is renowned for the name the “life and death struggle”- a common name locals call it. This game takes back to the classic hunter-and-prey scenario, where a hunter misses its prey and later tries to capture it with its third leg. This game is a hilarious mimic and a glimpse of the traditional hunting skills.

How to play this game:

1. The roles of the hunter and who would be hunted are pre-decided by the locals.
2. The “prey” starts with a head start and runs around the designated area or open space) while the “hunter” gives chase.
3. Upon catching the hunter successfully needs to catch the prey by grabbing the third leg using some specific movements.
4. To win a hunter must grab the “prey’s third leg,” and for the the prey to win, they should manage to evade the capture.

Rules of the Game:

1. The prey and the hunter roles would be pre-decided.
2. There would be only 2 players who would participate in the game.
3. An open space would be made to play, to win one should be in the specified region only.
4. One can change the variation of the game by introducing a timer for the rounds.
5. Hunter wins if captures the prey’s third leg and the prey wins if successfully evades the time limit set earlier.

Benefits of the Game:

• Involves movements that help in some specific movements.
• The objective to catch and evade develops agility and coordination
• Improve reaction time and decision-making skills
• connect you to the traditional game and cultural roots

4. Mahjong 

It is a strategic tile game that was born in 19th century China and has traveled to different parts of Asia. It is played with 3-4 players and involves collecting sets and pairs of tiles.  Mahjong is a game that is a blend of tactics, memory, and adventure.

How to play this game:

1. Shuffle tiles and place them face down.
2. Roll dice to determine the dealer; the player with the highest roll deals, person to their right plays first.
3. Each player selects 36 tiles and arranges them in two sets of 18 forming a wall.
4. Push walls forward, leaving space in the middle for discarded tiles.
5. Players take turns drawing thirteen tiles from the pool 
6. The first player draws an extra tile to start,
7. Any player can claim a discarded tile to form a meld
8. When using a discarded tile for meld, announce and display it to other players.
9. The game ends when a player completes four melds and a pair, totaling fourteen tiles.

Rules of this game:

1. The rules of this game vary from one country to the other.
2. 4 players are needed to play this game.
3. One would be needed to make pairs of tiles to win.
4. To ultimately succeed in the game you need four sets and one pair.
5. Upon having the victory idea in your hand, you have to tell the other players “Mahjong”

Benefits of the mahjong:

• Helps in a mental workout
• Is a good option to socialize.
• Increases concentration and focus.

5.Dapo Nyarka Sunam (Bamboo- wrestling)

This is a popular one in the state of Arunachal and is a common practice among the Nyishi community. This game is a pure physical strength test game along with tactical thinking. The male members of the community play this game.

How to play the “Bamboo-Wrestling game?

1. In it, two warriors compete against each other with the help of two bamboo sticks.
2. These sticks would be tucked around their arms and the battle begins.
3. Players push and shove aiming to topple the opponent 

Rules to play this game:

1. The bamboo stick should be about three inches thick and a yard and a half long.
2. Played between two players only.
3. Players stand against each other with the sticks in their right hand and they can only use the left for balance and additional pushing 
4. The left hand won’t be used for grabbing the opponent.
5. The winner is the player who makes their opponent lose their hold on the bamboo stick.

Benefits of the game:

• Connects to the cultural heritage and traditions.
• Indulges one in strategic thinking and techniques.
• Build up Balance and Coordination
• strengthens core muscles, arms, and legs

Also Know: Ludo Online 2 Player or Multiplayer Ludo Battles

6. Dak Dal Dakasunam(Stick Walk)

This is a game that is all about balance and is popular among the people of the state. It can be played by males and females both. The only condition to take part is that you know how to make a balance with the wooden stick.

How to play stick walk:

1. Players start in a funny pose, holding onto a stick with both hands.
2. They lift both legs off the ground and balance them on a small log attached to the stick.
3. The objective is to move along the course while keeping the one-legged pose.
4. The goal is to reach the finish line without falling, with both legs still lifted.

Rules of the game:

1. It can be played individually or in groups as well.
2. Anyone can participate in it, be it a male or female.
3. Players can hop, shuffle, or even attempt a slow walk towards the finish line.
4. One needs to ensure that the wooden log is firmly attached to the bottom of the stick to act like a footrest
5. Falling off the platform or touching the ground with the other leg disqualifies the player

Benefits of the Game:

• Increase concentration and focus
• Induces Strategic Thinking to win
• Helps in Community Bonding
• Good for Cardiovascular Health
• Helps in strengthening of muscles

7. Seene Chaksunam- Bamboo Climbing

Seene Chaksunam is a game of strength that involves climbing up as high as you can on polished bamboo and wooden poles standing up each at least 3 feet tall. It was once a favorite pastime of the old age people’s ancestors but with time everything has changed and now it is one of the forgotten games of the traditional sports of Arunachal Pradesh.

How to play the game?

1. Players are needed to climb wooden blocks or logs of a height of 3ft and more.
2. The one who conquers the greatest height is crowned the champion

Rules of the Seene Chaksunam:

1. The bamboo poles should be at least 3 feet tall
2. Bamboo poles should be planted firmly upright in the ground
3. Whoever manages to ascend the highest pole wins the game

Benefits of the seene Chaksunam:

• Mode of entertainment 
• Improve strength, agility, and coordination
• Improve focus and determination
• Encourages friendly competition

8. Archery

Archery is a global sport that is quite popular among the people of Arunachal Pradesh, Although this game has taken its modern form, But it is still part of their ancient culture. There are still many tribes that use the ancient bows and arrows for self-defense and hunting wild boar and rodents. 

This game is the center of the annual Losar festival that captivates the attention of the audience, where locals get to see and showcase their skills.

How to play this?

1. Stand straight with your feet and shoulders apart
2. Hold the grip of the bow firmly with your shooting hand
3. Place the arrow on the rest and hook the nock on the string of the arrow.
4. After preparing and checking for your safety shoot the arrow by slowly releasing the fingers to the string.

Rules of the Archery:

1. The number of arrows can vary on the level of the competition.
2. Archers need to shoot from a designated space only.
3. A fixed time is allotted to archers to shoot.
4. The highest total score wins.

Benefits of the Game:

• Improves Strength and Stamina
• Increases balance and stability 
• Enhances focus
• Reduces stress 
• Increases and improves the Hand-Eye coordination

Know About: Ludo Safe Zone Rules

Conclusion:

Arunachal Pradesh sporting scenes go beyond the usuals, the state topography with rugged mountains may not allow the common game to be played here but they have given rise to the vibrant culture of indigenous games. These games, often tests of skill and resilience, are deeply woven into the lives of the various tribes. From the bamboo wrestling prowess showcased in Dapo Nyarka Sunam to the balancing act of Dak-Dal Dakasunam, these traditional pastimes offer a fascinating window into Arunachal Pradesh’s unique heritage.