Exciting Cultural & Local Games of Bangladesh

Every nation of the world has its own national or cultural games and sports. They are as necessary for life as food and drink. A man eats and drinks to satisfy his hunger and quench his thirst. He takes part in games and sports to receive pleasure and refreshment to build up his body and character. Bangladesh is tropical country, therefore, has games and sports suited to her climate. There are many types of local games of Bangladesh. Ha-du-du, Dariabandha, Kanamachhi, Gollachut, are examples of Bangladeshi cultural sports. Young children mostly take part in these unique cultural games during their leisure period.

Ha-du-du: Ha-du-du is a very popular game. It is a game that is played in the open field. It is a game of  joy not only to the players but also to the spectators. It costs minimum but gives maximum joy and thrill. This game requires a small plain ground. The ground is divided into two equal parts. A line is drawn across the mid field.The young and strong boys of the villages play Ha-du-du. There are two teams. Each team has equal number of players. The players stand face to face on a line. Each team stands within one part of the ground of the opponent party. He utters du-du all the time holding his breath control. He tries his best to touch one or more players of the opponent party. If he is successful in his attempt and comes back to his own area, the touched players are called dead. And if he is caught within the area of the opponent party, he is called dead. In this way the game goes on. The game comes to an end when all the players of a party are dead and the other party wins.

Kanamachi: Kanamachchi is popular village game. A number of children stand in a circle. One of them becomes the kanamachchi. He is called so because a piece of cloth is tied over his eyes and he cannot see. He runs after children. If he can can touch anybody, then the touched person becomes the new kanamachchi.

Dariabandha: It is another village game. In this game a field is made under certain rules equally divided with lines keeping equal distance from each other. The players are divided into two equal teams. One team stands outside the field and each of the players of the other team stands on each line facing at least one opponent player. The players standing outside enter into the field one by one and try to pass across the field to the end. If any player of a team can cross the field from the starting point to the point and vice-versa, the team concerned wins the game.

Gollachhut: Gollachchut is another village game of Bangladesh. It is played between two teams. There are equal number of players in each team. A team stands at a fixed point on one side of the field. The players of the other team stand scattered in the field facing the team standing at the fixed point. If the players standing at the fixed point can cross three field untouched, they win the game.

Nouka-Baich: Nouka-Baich/Boat-race is a popular entertainment of the village people. Generally a boat-race is held during autumn on the occasion of any village festival. Special and speedy boats known as Baichary are made and kept for this sporting purpose. People from far and near gather at the spot. A boat race starts in the midst of shouts and thrills. It provides an innocent pleasure.

Latthi-khela: Lathikhela is also a popular village game. This game requires some skills, tricks and techniques. Experienced people of the villages take part in this game. This game is a source of great joy to the spectators as they can enjoy the game so much.

Country Games are very interesting indeed. They can can be played without spending too much money. Large fields are also not needed most times. The village games give sufficient  exercise to the limbs of the body. They are the source of innocent joy and pleasure. They make us strong, healthy and active. The village games keep people busy, tension free and delightful. They can spend their leisure in them. These remove their boredom, monotonous routines of life and fatigue.