Folk games that the San play

As the San community of Botswana, our forms of play go beyond mere recreation. They serve as windows into our beliefs and values, illuminating the lived realities at the heart of our culture.

Among the many games we play, one notable example is the stick throwing game. In a world where carrying a stick can mean the difference between life and death, this game serves both to settle disputes and to prepare young men for combat.

The tapered, meter-long stick is gripped by its thick end and swung with force, spinning through the air as it flies away from the mound, a heap of sand specially prepared for the game.

While the stick-throwing game is primarily played by the men in our community, women are often seen playing a ball game using a tsama (melon) as the ball.

The wild melon found in the Kalahari Desert is scientifically known as Citrullus vulgaris, but we call it Tsama. The women form a line, singing and applauding as the game begins. The person at the front holds the ball and steps forward five to six times in rhythm with the music.

While waiting to pass the ball to the girl next to her, she shuffles swiftly, spins to one side with a small hoop, then leaps forward and passes the ball along as the song continues. One by one, they all take their turns, repeating the joyful rhythm of the game.

Another game that reflects our community’s spirit is the gesture game, known locally as n!à. It’s a gesture-based game, similar to rock-paper-scissors, where players express themselves through specific hand signs, showcasing quick thinking and cultural expression.

This game weaves together expressions of communal identity and the self, while also serving as a strategic contest. As players engage, each extends their right or left arm. To score, the correct arm must be extended at the exact moment set by the rhythm of the music.

Yet, the favorite game of all remains skipping rope. Two people hold each end of the rope while others jump over it playfully, joyfully improvising their moves to avoid tripping and keep the rhythm alive.

Mostly played by middle-aged members, these leisure activities generate meaning through body movements, gestures, sounds, and symbols. For us, dancing and singing transcend everyday conversation, carrying ancestral tales and verses across generations.