The South African government runs an Indigenous Games Project. Indigenous Games provides a window for African values. Although there is cultural diversity in Africa, African people do share some general values and have faced some similar struggles in life. Global influences have a marked effect on the erosion and adaptation of the games. The games were neglected in historical and anthropological accounts of the Indigenous people of South Africa. Participation in Indigenous Games emphasises physical development, skill training and maintenance, reinforcement of the community’s values and interaction between communities. The challenge is to trace and bring this rich Indigenous heritage to life for everybody to share and actively join in games like Iintonga, Morabaraba, Jukskei, Dibeke, Ncuva, Khokho, Ugqaphu and Kgati.
What they hope to achieve
- Popularise the games.
- Influence Education – broaden the foundation for the SA education system
- Health benefit phenomenal (Active lifestyle)
- Unwanted Social Behaviour (Indigenous against crime). Games at Taxi Ranks, community centres, Parks etc.
- Establish structures in Provinces
- Provincial Competition-Provinces Establish Indigenous Games
- National Structure National Festival (Annual event)
- Regional (SADC) prevalent games identified and constitution drawn up Regional Competitions
- All Africa Games Inclusion World/International Festivals (As carriers of cultural values they must also be part of the world’s heritage).
The first National Indigenous Games was held in Oudtshoorn in 2004. Thereafter it was held in Polokwane (2005), Badplaas, Mpumalanga (2006) and in Mdantsane near East London in 2007.
External Links
Indigenous Games Rulebooks 2010 and 2014
Indigenous Games Research
Video clips of Indigenous games in action can be viewed here