TRADITIONAL PORTUGUESE GAMES
Jogo da malha
Material: 4 wooden discs; 2 round pins (they should be round and positioned vertically) Players: 2 teams of 2 members Game: In a flat terrain, the pins are positioned, in the same direction, about 15/18 metres away from each other. Each team should be behind the pin. The first player throws the disc, trying to pull the pin down, and then a player from the other team tries to throw the other pin down or place it as close as possible to the pin. Score: 6 points each time the pin is thrown down, 3 points for each disc closer to the pin. The team which first scores 30 points wins the game.
Jogo da tracção com corda em linha
Material: 1 rope and 1 handkerchief (it should be in the middle of the rope) Players: 2 teams with the same number of players Game: In a flat terrain free of obstacles, two teams of equivalent strength hold, on each side and at the same distance from the handkerchief, a rope. Before the game begins, a line is drawn on the floor. Then each team pulls its side of the rope. Score: The first one to go across the line loses the game.
Corrida de Sacos
Material: 1 sack or 1 thick plastic bag Players: it may vary Game: Participants place both of their legs inside a sack that should reach their waist and jump forward from a starting point toward a finish line. Score: The first person to cross the finish line is the winner of the race.
Jogo da cabra cega
Material: 1 handkerchief Players: it may vary Game: It should be played in a spacious area. The children hold their hands and the blindfolded player is placed in the middle of the group. Then they start a dialogue: “Cabra-cega, donde vens?” “Venho da Serra.” “O que me trazes?” “Trago bolinhos de canela.” “Dá-me um!” “Não dou.” Then they all say: “Gulosa, gulosa, gulosa... “ Then the player tries to grab one of the children and attempts to identify who he/she is. Score: If the person is correctly identified, that person becomes the “cabra-cega”.
Jogo da macaca
Material: chalk, 1 little stone Players: it may vary Game: Draw the ‘macaca’ on the floor. Number all the squares from 1 to 8. The space near square number 1 is Hell and the space near square number 8 is Heaven. The first players throws the little stone to square number 1 and jumping on only one foot has to reach and grab it and come back. Then he/she throws it to number 2 and the same process is repeated. Then number 3, number 4 and so on. Score: If the stone touches one of the lines, the player has to start the game all over again.
Jogo do lencinho
Material: 1 handkerchief Players: 2 teams, 1 judge, 1 field divided in two Game: Each team is on a different side of the field. The judge is in the middle of the field with the handkerchief on his hand and says one number. The player from each team who has that number runs towards the handkerchief and tries to grab it. Score: 1 point if the player who grabs the handkerchief goes back to his/her field without being touched. 2 points if he/she enters the opponent team field without being touched.