Sindh’s Heritage Games: Forgotten Childhood Echoes

Sweden’s Sportlov and Sindh’s forgotten Traditional Games – The Journey from Our Forgotten Traditional Games to the New Future Games

By Abdullah Usman Morai | Sweden

Every year, the month of February in Sweden is a month of intense cold and snowfall, where snow-covered trees, frozen lakes, and extremely chilly winds prevail. In this very month, a special week begins that is eagerly awaited by both children and parents. In the Swedish language, it is called Sportlov (Sports Holiday), which means a holiday for sports. During that week, schools remain closed, but it is not merely a school vacation. Rather, it is an activity that has become an important part of Sweden’s social and physical culture, in which parents participate in winter sports together with their children.

The Beginning of Sportlov, Its Benefits, and Importance

Sportlov began in the 1940s. At that time, due to severe winters and shortages of fuel such as oil or kerosene, schools were temporarily closed in order to conserve fuel for heating. Gradually, this one-week break transformed into a social and cultural tradition. The government and local municipalities encouraged people to go outdoors during this week and take part in physical activities.

Today, Sportlov is not merely a holiday but a week of family togetherness, healthy activities, and closeness to nature. Children and parents ski together, skate on ice, go to the mountains, or engage in other winter sports in local parks.

Its benefits are numerous. For example, it provides an opportunity to strengthen family relationships. When parents and children play together, trust, love, and communication between them become stronger, and closeness increases. Winter sports improve physical health and strengthen the body, removing laziness and creating agility. They improve heart health and develop balance and coordination. Nature, natural light, and physical activities, meaning engagement in sports, create mental peace in children and reduce psychological stress. The most interesting aspect is that it also builds courage and endurance. For example, falling during a game and getting up again is one of the important lessons of life.

Childhood Memories: When We Too Were Players

When I see children engaged in sports here in Sweden, my mind automatically travels back to my own childhood and to the streets of Moro where we grew up. I remember how active we were in games, and how long our list of games was. There was no snow in our games, but there was dust, sunshine, and laughter.

I used to be an expert at playing marbles (bloor or chida). Spinning tops, cricket, badminton, ludo, and carom board were part of our daily routine. Sometimes we also played hockey and football. I remember trying to fly kites, but I never became skilled at it; nevertheless, the joy of it is still fresh in my memory. One of our famous games was Sat Kut, which we played a lot. In that game, if the ball was in your hand, you were considered powerful and could target everyone else.

Besides that, we played Itti Dakkar, Lik Lakoti, and the game of placing seven stones and knocking them down with a ball; until those seven stones were stacked again one over the other, players would hit each other with the ball. Playing with dolls and Pikli Peer with my sisters was also a beautiful part of life. We only heard about Wanjhwatii; we never actually played it. However, we got many opportunities to play video games. As a child, I also rolled motorcycle tires with a wooden stick many times, and it felt as if I were driving a bullet train. Those days were simple, yet full of happiness.

The Modern World, New Games, and Research behind Them

In developed countries, games are not merely a way to pass the time. On the contrary, extensive research is conducted behind the invention of new games. Sports experts consider what impact a game will have on a child’s mind and body. What should the rules and regulations of a game be so that every child gets an equal opportunity? What type of physical balance will the new game require? Which game will enhance children’s physical abilities? How should the balance between competition and cooperation be maintained?

Here, new games are continuously developing, keeping children physically active even in today’s digital era. In other words, game designing has now become a scientific process that includes aspects of psychology, physical training, and social development.

Should We Also Create New Games?

Keeping our old and traditional games alive is extremely important. However, in my opinion, along with preserving them, it is also the need of the time to invent new physical games. To address modern challenges such as the fact that children today have fewer open playgrounds and increased screen usage, being confined to mobile phones and tablets, and sitting in one place, this sedentary lifestyle is harmful to health.

New and attractive physical games should be designed according to these conditions. For example, to increase physical activity, new engaging and mentally challenging games can help bring children outdoors. When children or young people design games themselves, their creativity and decision-making skills improve. Just as languages and cultures evolve, games too should take new forms over time and they should.

From Traditional Games to Family Gatherings: A Step toward a Healthy and Strong Society

In marbles, spinning tops, carrom board, cricket, and other traditional games, the memories, values, and simplicity of our society are hidden. They are not merely games but also a means of gathering.

If a concept like Sportlov were introduced in our society as well, where one week is dedicated to parents and children spending time together playing both new and old games, then surely society could become healthier and stronger.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether it is Sportlov in the snowy fields of Sweden or the childhood games in the dusty streets of our villages and cities, play is a natural language. Sweden’s Sportlov teaches us that games are not merely entertainment but a way of living. Play gives strength to the body, peace to the mind, and brings hearts closer together.

We should keep our traditional games alive and at the same time invent new ones, so that the laughter, energy, and togetherness of future generations continue. Let us bring our children back to the streets and playgrounds, teach them new games, and become part of their childhood. Because play is not merely a way to pass time, it is an essential part of life.

Read: From Wells to Mineral Water Bottles

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Abdullah Soomro, penname Abdullah Usman Morai, hailing from Moro town of Sindh, province of Pakistan, is based in Stockholm Sweden. Currently he is working as Groundwater Engineer in Stockholm Sweden. He did BE (Agriculture) from Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam and MSc water systems technology from KTH Stockholm Sweden as well as MSc Management from Stockholm University. Beside this he also did masters in journalism and economics from Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur Mirs, Sindh. He is author of a travelogue book named ‘Musafatoon’. His second book is in process. He writes articles from time to time. A frequent traveler, he also does podcast on YouTube with channel name: VASJE Podcast.