Strategy games

For example, one game of strategy (see picture above) involves children making a board in the dusty ground by scooping out 36 pockets, six by six. One child uses 12 pebbles as his or her pieces and the opposing child uses 12 sticks or straws. The players take it in turns to move one of their pieces. They can move vertically or horizontally, but not diagonally. The object is to get a row of three of their own pieces, either horizontally or vertically. Each time a player makes a row s/he can remove one of the opponent's pieces. The winner is the player who reduces her or his opponent to two pieces.

Laissez tomber, ne laissez pas tomber

Laissez tomber game

The children form into pairs, one climbing onto the other’s back, and arrange themselves into a circle. A ball is thrown from one pair to the next, with half the children chanting 'Laissez tomber', and the other half 'ne laissez pas tomber'. There are no winners or losers, but lots of laughter every time a pair allows the ball to fall.

Le renard, passe passe

Children sit in a large circle, facing inwards. One person starts the game by trotting around the outside of the circle carrying a ball and repeating the song 'Le renard, passe passe, Chacun a son tour, Chez le coiffeur Mamadou Keita'. At some point the runner drops the ball against the back of one of the children sitting down and then runs around the circle to escape. The child hit by the ball has to pick it up and run in pursuit, aiming to throw the ball at the runner before s/he manages to complete the circle and take the vacated space. If the child is caught s/he has to stand in the middle of the circle on one leg.