Weird Somali games were a big part of growing up for many kids in Somalia a long time ago children did not have phones or video games so they made up their own fun using things around them like sticks stones and bones some of these games might look very strange to people today but they were full of imagination and energy kids would play outside until the sun went down making memories with their friends and learning how to be quick and smart.
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weird Somali games for kids in villages
One of the most famous weird Somali games is called Kaskalo in this game children use animal bones usually from sheep or goats to play a jumping and catching game they throw a small bone into the air and try to pick up other bones from the ground before catching the first one in the air it takes a lot of practice and hand speed.
If you drop a bone you lose your turn kids would collect the best bones and keep them in their pockets like precious toys another interesting game involved using camel dung balls children would dry them in the sun and use them as balls for aim games they would dig small holes in the dirt and try to roll the dried balls into the holes from far away it sounds funny to people who did not grow up there but it was totally normal and super fun for them.
Another game that belongs to the list of weird Somali games is called Shax which is like a traditional version of tic tac toe but much bigger and more complex kids draw a grid in the sand using a stick and use small stones or dark seeds as pieces they sit on the ground facing each other and spend hours thinking about their next move even old people love playing this one but kids learned it very early and played it during hot afternoons under the shade of trees it taught them how to plan ahead and beat their friends in a battle of minds.
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Running and chasing was also a huge part of traditional entertainment and some weird Somali games had very unique rules for example in a game called Shuba children form a big circle and one child runs around the outside with a piece of cloth or a stick they quietly drop the object behind one of the players in the circle and keep running if that player does not notice the runner tags them out but if they notice they pick up the object and chase the runner around the circle to get their spot back the energy during this game was always high with everyone shouting and laughing.
Walking on stilts made from cans was another one of the coolest weird Somali games that kids played they would take empty milk cans punch holes in the sides and thread strong ropes through them then they would stand on top of the cans holding the ropes tight and walk around like giants in the neighborhood they even had races while walking on these cans which often ended with kids falling over and laughing on the dusty ground it was simple but required good balance.
We can also look at mud modeling as one of the creative weird Somali games from back then after heavy rain fell children would run to the muddy spots and collect soft wet dirt they would build small houses cows camels and cars out of the mud and let them dry in the hot sun they played whole stories with these mud figures creating imaginary farms and villages that kept them busy for hours.
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Sometimes weird Somali games involved testing physical strength like in wrestling games where two boys would hold each other and try to push the other person to the ground without hurting them everyone would stand around cheering for their favorite player.
