Hobbies And Interests
Da Ga, Ghana
Da Ga is a game appropriate for children aged 8 to 12. Draw a 10-by-10-foot square on the ground. One player stands in the middle of the "Home of the Snake" All of the other players will stand in the square and attempt to stay out of reach from his person. The person in the home of the snake tries to touch the other players. If any child gets tagged, he or she has to hold hands with the child in the home of the snake. Now the two players in the middle must hold hands and try to tag the other children with their free hands. The players who have not been tagged can sing, skip or dance to avoid being tagged by the snake.
Kudoda, Zimbabwe
Kudoda is similar to the American game of jacks. Players sit in a circle. Put a metal bowl in the middle of the children. Put approximately 20 marbles into the bowl. The first player tosses a marble into the air. Before it comes back down, the child tries to grab as many marbles out of the bowl, without tipping it over. Each player takes a turn tossing and grabbing. After all of the marbles are gone, the player with the most marbles is the winner.
Drum, Guinea
Drums are used in Guinea, as well as in other countries in Africa. A conga drum can be made out of recycled household supplies. Cut a piece of plastic from an old beach ball or similar item. Stretch the plastic across an embroidery hoop. Put the hoop on top of a plastic flowerpot and use duct tape to firmly attach the hoop to the pot. Decorate the outside of the pot with paint and fabric.
Masks, Gabon
Masks are common in the area of Gabon, as well as throughout the African continent. To make a mask, draw an oval shape on stiff paper. Cut out eyeholes in the paper. Decorate the mask using bright colors. Paint over the crayon so that the crayon wax covered portion shows through the paint and creates a decorative effect. Fold the mask in half lengthwise. Glue decorations to the mask. Staple elastic string to each horizontal edge of the mask so that it can be secured around the head.