Traditional games- CYPRUS

Erasmus+
Our Heritage is Our Treasure
Valsequillo, de Gran Canaria, Spain
October, 2019

1. Traditional Cypriot Games Dimotiko Scholeio Anaritas

2. ZIZIROS

3. A very popular traditional game in Cyprus is “ Ziziros ”. This traditional game usually played on Easter Sunday and the days after. “ Ziziros ” is one of the traditional Easter games played in Cypriot villages for centuries. Ziziros , meaning cicada (the insect) in Greek. It is a very funny game that causes a lot of laughs to everyone either is watching the game or is participating in it.

4. GAME RULES: It can be played by a group of people (3-8 persons). One person called “ ziziros ” (cicada) stand in a middle of the group turning his back on the other participants. The person - Ziziros has to cover his eyes with his right hand and put his left hand under his right arm with opened fingers. One of the group’s players behind him hits him on his right hand. sometimes softly, sometimes harder! Immediately, after the hit the rest of the players make a “ZZZZ” sound like a cicada ( ziziros ) and wave a finger in circles, so as to confuse the unlucky one who was hit. The person- ziriros , who was hit, has to guess who hit him and if he is correct the person who hit him takes his place. If not he must to continue until he do so.

5. Playing ziziro at school…

6. And now the actual game played at Cyprus villages …

7. Kattomougia (Blind fly) Or blind man's bluff

8. Kattomougia Blind fly Or blind man's bluff “ Kattomougia ” can be played with three or more kids. At the beginning, everybody has to draw lots to find out who is going to be the “guard”. The guard has to be blindfolded. While he is blindfolded, the other kids change their location but they still stay close to the “guard” without trying to avoid him. Then, the “guard” moves around to find and catch somebody. Finally, when he manages to find a kid he has to guess who is that kid, by saying his or her name. If his guess is correct, the kid who has been recognized by the “guard” has to play the role of the “guard”.

9. Playing kattomougia at school…

10. Traditional Cypriot Games