Top 9 Traditional Games of Punjab: Old & Forgotten: Fun Games of Punjab

Punjab isn’t just a land of rich history and stunning landscapes; it’s a playground bursting with traditional games! Punjab isn’t all about “Lassi and Paronthe” it’s much more than that! 

It is the land of games and sports persons which is a playground bursting with more than 100 traditional games that once ruled the streets and gardens of the Punjab Land. These Games have been entertaining and uniting families for generations. 

Imagine bustling streets filled with laughter as children chase each other in games that have been passed down for generations. From energetic wrestling dhangals to the mesmerizing dance of colorful kites in the sky, these traditional games were once common but now are witnessed nowhere, with the advent of technology these traditional games have taken the backseat, and now modern games are ruling the game arena.

So before they completely get lost in the dark of mobile games let’s revive them. These traditional games are more than just fun; they’re a way of life. Next time you hear the sound of children playing in Punjab, remember: it’s not just fun. It’s a lively reminder of tradition, keeping the spirit of the town alive, one joyful moment after another!

Now let’s have a look at the once so-famous traditional games of Punjab.

Famous Traditional Sports of Punjab- The Land of Sports Athletes 

1. Kabaddi

Dive into the thrill of Punjabi Kabaddi, this is a fast-paced adrenaline rush team sport that is sure you would have never experienced. This game is played by two teams of eight warriors each battling it out on a soft ground arena, divided by a centerline.

How to Play and Rules of Kabaddi:

• Raiders are expected to venture into enemy territory aiming to capture the opponents’ team players and then return safely,
• Opponents (Defenders) strategically try to pin down the raider. 
• Traditionally played for 40-60 minutes with halftime breaks this game pushes players to push themselves to limits.
• This isn’t an ordinary game; it is a game of tackles, tests of strength, agility, and pure grit.

Kabaddi in Punjab is so famous that the government hosts the Kabaddi World Cup where international teams come to compete.

2. Gilli Danda

Gulli Danda or Gilli Danda is considered to be the precursor of cricket in India. This game is played with two sticks: a longer one and a small one, the longer one called Danda is used to hit the smaller one called Gilli.

How to play and Rules Gilli Danda:

• This game is played with four or more players of even numbers
• A player balances the Gilli on the stone and then strikes it in the air as far as possible.
• There are two teams in which one throws gilli and the other team uses danda to strike it.
• If a fielder catches the Gilli, the striker is out
• The team or individual with the most points wins.
• If the striker fails to hit the Gilli in three tries, they are out.

3. Kokla Chapaki

This is one of the traditional games of Punjab which was a common game played in the streets of Punjab. It is a very popular game among girls aged 4 -8. Being a traditional game, this game doesn’t need many types of equipment except a piece of cloth and can be played simply with any number of players. Kokla Chapaki isn’t limited to just Punjab and has been adopted in various parts of the country.

The song sung during the game is:

Kokla Chapaki Jumeraat aayi aye
jera agge pichey wekhey
ohdi shamat aayi aye

How to play and Rules of Kokla Chapaki:

• All Players will sit in a circle except for one who is the “Seeker”.
• The seeker runs around the circle holding a piece of cloth while singing a warning song.
• The seeker will drop the cloth behind one player, and that player should notice and try to tag the seeker before they take his/her spot.
• If tagged then the seeker remains the seeker and if not the player becomes a new seeker.

There aren’t any specific rules to play the game and players can play the game by replacing the seeker with a new one.

4. Lukan Miti(Hide and Seek)

This game can be played by both players, be it a girl or a boy. and there is no restriction regarding the number of players in the game and there can be five players to 15 players. They gather at a place and choose Dai(giver). Now after choosing Dai, all the other players would hide and Dai has to find them.

How to Play and Rules of the Lukan Miti

• One person closes their eyes for 90 seconds
• The others will hide and they will call “Come” then Dai will come and look for them.
• If he/she finds anyone then the first person becomes the new Dai and if fails to do so then he has to reattempt the chance and find all other players.
• This game is played usually in the evening but can be played in the morning or afternoon depending on the hiding spots.
• If all players hide successfully, the game continues

5. Kikli

More than being a game it is a dancing style in Punjab but became so popular that it is now very common among children that it has become a common pastime among groups, especially girls. There are no specific rules for playing Kikli but it can only played with at least two people. There is a popular saying for the Kikli in Punjabi-

Kikli kleer di

Pag mere vir dee

Daupatta mere bhai da

Phitte mun jawai da

How to Play and Rules of the Kikli Game:

• Kikli is a game primarily for young girls
• In this game, two girls hold hands and move in circles crossing their arms.
• They spin and others ask them to spin faster by singing songs and clapping.
• Sometimes there could be 4 girls spinning together in a group.

There aren’t any specific rules to play this game but it is most common among girls and at least two girls or players to play this game, and is solely for entertainment and fun purposes, there are no points for rewards or win concepts in this game.

6. Kushti

A popular Rural game of Punjab that is recognized widely and also has gained the attention of the government which is constantly making efforts to bring these games on the common shared grounds of modern games like cricket. Kushti is a type of wrestling game where two people try to pin each other to the ground to turn and touch the opponent back to the ground.

Kushti is a wrestling game that takes place in the traditional Indian wrestling schools called Akhadas, these Akhadas are the places where wrestlers undergo rigorous training. Kushti or also Pehlwani is a type of wrestling and also is a branch of Malyutham.

How to play and Rules of the Kushti:

• The wrestling match takes place in the Akhada.
• Two wrestlers compete until one’s back touches the ground.
• The aim is to wrestle and overpower the opponent while defending against their moves.
• Upon touching the ground the player loses the match and the winner parades around the court.

Laws(Rules) of the kushti:

• These kushti matches don’t happen in rounds and usually last around 30 minutes, the duration can be extended if the players agree.
• Players start on a field called Akhada, which can be round or square and must be at least 14 feet away.
• They apply dirt (Mitti) to gain control.
• No punching and kicking is allowed.
• Knockout submissions are also allowed.

7. Bandar Killa(keela)

This game is very popular in the village and rural areas of the Punjab, and is played by several children in groups. They start it by digging a hole and attaching a pole in the same hole and a four-foot rope to it. This traditional game has been around for a long time, some say since 1902! And was earlier a favorite winter activity for boys in villages across Punjab, India.

How to play and rules of Bandar Killa:

• Players find a spot, dig a hole, plant a pole, and tie a 4-foot rope.
• After the setup process, everyone takes off one shoe and creates a pile near the pole.
• One player becomes the “catcher, ” holding the rope near the pole.
• The catcher holding the rope tries to stop others from getting their slippers or shoes.
• If during the process catcher touches any problem then that person becomes a new catcher
• And then the games go on.

To decide which player becomes the catcher, a common method “Pugatta” is used for fixing turns and catcher.

8. Pithoo (Pithoo Garam)

Pithoo is an exclusive traditional game of Punjab and is very popular among children and Punjab culture. It refreshes the childhood memories of one and takes them back to the old good days. Pithoo isn’t a highly equipped game that needs technical advancements, a simple ball and some flat stones are needed.

How to play and Rules of Pithoo:

• The game is played between groups or individually with at least 5 players.
• Team or players take turns as strikers and fielders.
• A soft ball and some flat surfaced stones are needed to play the game.
• Strikers aim to hit the stone tower with a ball.
• If the ball isn’t hit or caught after a bounce, the striker is out.
• Out players wait outside until the team’s turn ends.
• The Striker team rebuilds the tower while avoiding the ball.
• The Fielder team tries to hit striker team members.
• Game ends if the tower isn’t rebuilt or the striker team is hit.
• Striker team earns points or can call back a member if the tower is rebuilt.
• Once all striker team members are out, the opposite team becomes the striker, and the game restarts.

There are no official rules for playing the Pithoo game, only a group of players and some flat stones are needed to play the game. Make sure to be in a safe and open area to avoid getting knocked down.

9. Khuddo khoondi

A game similar to a game of field hockey the only difference is the equipment, khuddo khoondi is a traditional yet simple game that was a favorite time of the past school children who were not engaged in formal education. They used the not-so-modernized crafted game equipment and chose all-natural curved tree branches they found while tending cattle and a ball made from rags and string.

How to Play and Rules of the Khuddo Khoondi:

• The game involves using a ball made of rags and a stick to hit the ball. 
• Players Play on the grassy or desi field playground.
• Players take some natural uncurved sticks and try to score by hitting the ball in the opponent’s corner.
• Teams try to prevent the other team from scoring by defending their own goal.
• Whichever team scores the most goals, wins the game.

There are no specific game rules and can vary, depending on the local player’s rules and traditions

10. Oonch Neech Ka Papda

This game is popularly played by young children in uneven spaces with odd spaces. ‘Oonch’ here refers to a surface that is higher like some podiums or platforms and ‘Neech’ means a lower surface compared to the ‘Oonch’. This game is known by different names in various areas of India like- “Kumir Daanga” in West Bengal and “Nela Banda” in Andhra Pradesh.

How to play and Rules of the Game:

• Children play this game on uneven surfaces with one part lower and the other comparatively higher.
• Out of these children, one becomes a “Denner”.
• Others ask if the Denner chooses “oonch” or “neech.”
• Depending on the Denner’s choice, players quickly move to the opposite level.
• The Denner tries to catch players in their chosen area. So, Players must keep moving and shouldn’t stay in one spot too long.
• Wosover the Denner catches becomes the next Denner and the game continues like that.

This is a simple game with no high-end official rules and can be played as per the local terms and rules.

Read More:- Traditional Games of Arunachal Pradesh

Conclusion:

The traditional games of Punjab offer a glimpse of Punjab’s rich culture and traditions. From kabaddi to Gulli Danda Punjab traditional games offer glimpses of strength agility and simplicity each game embodies a unique aspect of Punjabi life. Keep those old game traditions alive by keeping gadgets away for some time and lavishing the real feels of those old traditional games of strength, fun, and entertainment. Get some time off from those important meetings and work schedules and give it a try to these mind-refreshing traditional games. 

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