Traditional & Popular Games: Introduction to the catalog

    As future physical education teacher, I have found that traditional games put together the perfect combination of culture and physical activity. 

     Therefore in this "catalog", I will humbly try to expose some interesting traditional games, that can be applied to physical activity lessons in order to teach the pupils about traditional culture at the same time that they improve their body learning and skills.

    Two are the main objectives of this work. First of all, collect and compare an unknown, but fundamental part of a nation´s culture and folklore such as traditional games. Our ancestors used to play many different forms of games when there were festivities, something to celebrate or just when they had a break from hours and hours of work. Those typical displays are a great source of knowledge to know our history and how we have been developing and evolving until nowadays. Therefore, by researching on the topic, we will be able to compare and know more about the similarities and differences among the countries.

     Secondly, I will try to show how useful can be traditional games applied to any kind of educational center. As future teachers, we will find that these games are an excellent tool to achieve an integral and comprehensive development on our students. At the same moment that they are working on their body learning, they can as also being taught in other areas of knowledge such as history of their ancestors or geography of the areas where the games were played. Personally, I also think that physical education, and specially traditional games, is a great opportunity to study ecological awareness. Consequently and being aware of the lack of money that many centers suffer nowadays, I will try to show another way of build the needed equipment with alternative and cheap materials. Although the traditional equipment will be also shown.

What are exactly traditional games?

    Moreno, Mata y Gómez (1993) define them as playful activities with an ancestral and local perspective, that came from previous generations, and have a cultural nature from an anthropological

perspective. However, there is a huge terminological discussion about the adjectives and terms to describe and define this kind of games. Therefore, we will have a closer look to all the different acceptations used to talk about them.

Popular games: Meaning they are played by the general population, without any

distinction of age, sex or social class. They are part of the popular culture.

Native/autochthonous games: Referenced to their origin from a specific country or place.

    However, it would be possible to find a native game, but no traditional because it could have disappeared or has been modified by cultural evolution. Also, we could find a popular game without a specific origin. Finally, it would be possible a traditional game, but not popular because it would be only played by minority people. Therefore, we find that "traditional games" is the best and most complete definition.

    There are also other less popular acceptations to describe and talk about them such as rural games, yard games, or lawn games.

Why are these games so important and useful as an educational tool?

    As future teachers or workers in the world of the physical activity, it is mandatory that we know about and use a really important phenomenon of human nature as it is the game. We can consider the game as a useful and playful tool to develop our students physically and cognitively, at the same time that they have fun. 

    Another important consideration has to do with the situation of traditional games nowadays. Since the efforts of professionals and institutions are nonexistent, we can consider these small pieces of ancient culture as almost forgotten elements persistent only in the memories of our elders.It is our own responsibility trying to make them endure for the future generations. For what there are basically two ways of achieving it.

    First, propose traditional games as elements that enrich our understanding of our culture. So in moments of celebration or festivities, they could be a tourist resort and promotion added to many places that continue to keep alive all these activities.Secondly, by trying to institutionalize or formalize them. Creating federations, regulations of the games, and periodically championships, these traditional games will continue being played. 

    Traditional games are also a great opportunity for learning things about the history of people.By comparing different games, we can learn and understand better the differences of our cultures, contributing to cultural enrichment of collective heritage.

     However, the greatest contribution from a recreational perspective is the freedom that they propose. A breathing space in a society in which we are limited by numerous worries, professional stress, schedules, rules, prohibitions and responsibilities of our daily lives.

The Catalog

       To present the traditional games from different countries and parts of the world, I will use the following folder structure to classify them in the simplest and most efficient way.

* References

• Méndez Giménez, A. (2003). Nuevas propuestas lúdicas para el desarrollo curricular de Educación Física. Barcelona: Paidotribo
• Moreno, C. Mata, D. y Gómez, J. (1993). Aspectos recreativos de los juegos y deportes tradicionales en España. Madrid: Gymnos.