Every culture assimilates varied forms of entertainment through its evolutionary journey. One of these are indigenous games, passed on and played across generations.
Tribal communities, being so diverse, can boast many field games which, unfortunately, have nearly been wiped out now. One such lost Traditional tribal game is ‘Bhukhyo Sinh’ (the hungry lion), once popular among southern Gujarat’s tribes but now rarely seen.
A group ranging from 12 to 40 can play this traditional tribal game on an open field, where circles of 2 feet diameter are drawn — three to four feet apart from one another — for each but one player.
The player without a circle is the den, or the hungry lion. Others stand inside their circles that are safe areas. The game begins with the den getting down on his hands and knees and roaring while he roams the field. When he takes the name of a wild animal, it is a cue for all the players to come out of their circles and start walking behind the den, at a ‘safe’ distance of eight to 10 feet.
With all the ‘animals’ now vulnerable, the den suddenly cries, “Khau!” (I want to eat). The players must then all run back to the security of their respective circles. If the ‘hungry lion’ catches anyone, that player becomes the next den for the game to continue.
Dr Nimesh Chaudhry, Assistant Professor of Physical Education at Ahmedabad-based Gujarat Vidyapith, which is a Gandhian institute, regrets the erosion of culture signified by the absence of such traditional tribal games.
“Over the past one and half decades, members of the tribal community are rarely seen playing. Sadly, this exciting sport is on the verge of extinction, mainly due to the advent of television and mobile phones, as well as other means of entertainment,” Dr Chaudhry rues.
He also feels that educated members of tribal communities are shying away from their traditional sports.
