Since ancient times, the Russian people have been famous not only for their unique and extremely interesting culture, but also for their exciting games for both children and adults. However, time, warriors and the influence of European neighbors gradually eclipsed the ancient Russian games. Now they are beginning to be reborn and never cease to amaze with their liveliness, original ideas and tasks filled with noisy fun.
Having learned the simple rules of Russian folk games, you can immerse yourself not only in the exciting world of childhood, but also understand how our ancestors lived and rested.
Russian folk games and their rules
Spillikins
This game has been known since ancient times, however, very few people know its rules now. The idea is that you take from 60 to 100 sticks 10 cm long. They are placed in a bag and then poured out onto a flat surface. The sticks, when spilled, lie down randomly and the task of the game is that everyone takes turns removing one spilliard, trying not to disturb those that are nearby. The winner is the one who, after sorting through the entire pile, has the most collected “trophies.” To make the game even more interesting, you can make the sticks in the form of a spatula, spear or spoon. For such spillikins, more points are awarded.
Golden Gate
This game is very dynamic and is designed not so much for the dexterity of its participants as for their luck. The rules of the “Golden Gate” are as follows: two players stand opposite each other and join their hands in such a way as to form a goal. The rest of the participants join hands and take turns walking through them. The players making up the goal chant:
Golden Gate
They don't always miss!
Saying goodbye for the first time
The second time is prohibited
And for the third time
We won't miss you!
After the song ends, they lower their hand, and those players who are caught also become gates. Thus, the chain of participants gradually decreases. The game ends the moment everyone becomes a “gate.”
Catch a fish
To win this game you need to have good reaction and speed. The point of this fun is that the participants form a circle, in the center of which stands “water” with a rope and rotates it along the floor around its axis. The participants' task is to jump over the rope. The one who catches it with the game is eliminated from the game.
Hot seat
This game is perfect for those who like to play catch-up. Its meaning is that in the center of the site a place is designated that will be called hot. “Water” must try to catch participants trying to get to this place. The one who is caught helps the “water”. If the player manages to reach the “hot spot”, he can rest there as long as he wants, however, having gone beyond it, he will again have to run away from the “water”. The game continues until all players are caught.
Elephant
This game allows you to test your strength and endurance, which is why boys love it most. The point of the game is that the participants are divided into two equal teams. After this, one of them will be the “elephant”, and the other will jump on it. A member of the first team approaches the wall and bends down, resting his hands on it. The next one comes up from behind and wraps his arms around his waist, bowing his head. The rest of the players do the same. It turns out to be an “elephant”. The first member of the other team runs up and tries to jump on the “elephant” in such a way that there is room for other team members. Once the entire team is on the back of the “elephant”, in order to win, it must hold on for 10 seconds. After this, the teams can change places.
Paints
It is very mobile and fun game. According to its rules, you need to choose two participants: a “monk” and a “seller.” Other players stand in a line, and the seller tells them any color in a whisper. After this, the following dialogue occurs:
A monk walks into a paint store and says to the salesman:
I'm a monk in blue pants, I came for paint. - For what?
The monk names colors (for example, red). If there is no such color, the seller replies:
There is no such thing! Jump along the red carpet, on one leg, you will find boots, wear them, and bring them back!
At the same time, the monk is given a task: to walk like a duck or jump on one leg. If there is such a color, then the seller replies:
There is one! - What is the price? - Five rubles
After this, the monk slaps the seller’s palm five times). As soon as the last clap sounds, the “paint” participant jumps up and runs around the line. If the monk catches up with him, then he himself becomes “paint”, and the one who was caught takes his place.
Swan geese
This fun is for those who love active games. Its meaning is that two wolves and one leader are selected from all participants. Everyone else becomes geese. The leader needs to be on one side of the platform, and the swans on the other. The wolves stand at a distance “in ambush.” The leader says the following words:
Geese-swans, home!
Run, fly home, the wolves are behind the mountain!
What do wolves want?
Pluck gray geese and gnaw their bones!
When the song ends, the geese must run to the leader and try not to be caught by the wolves. Those who are caught leave the game, and the rest return back. The game ends when the last goose is caught.
Turnip
The name of this game comes from the old Russian fairy tale "Turnip", so its meaning is somewhat similar to this work. It is perfect for developing reaction and coordination of movements.
The rules of the game are as follows: all participants stand in a circle and begin to dance in a circle. In its center there is a “turnip” child, and behind the circle is a “mouse”. During the round dance, all players sing the following song:
“Grow up re-pony-ka!
Grow big!
Neither small nor great,
To the mouse's tail!
While the song is playing, the turnip gradually “grows”, that is, rises. After the end of the song, the mouse must try to get into the circle and catch the turnip. The rest of the participants can either hinder her or help her. After the mouse catches the turnip, new players are selected.
There is another variation of this game.
The players stand one after another and clasp their hands around the waist of the previous participant. The first player must hold tightly to the tree trunk. The game begins when the “grandfather” tries to unhook the last participant from the rest of the team and so on until the “turnip” is completely “stretched”.
Salki
This is one of the most common variations of an active and physically developing game. Its participants disperse around the site, close their eyes, and hold their hands behind their backs. The presenter places an object in the hand of one of the players on the count of “one, two, three”; everyone opens their eyes. The hands of the participants remain behind their backs. Then the player who has the item says: “I’m a tag.” The rest of the participants must run away from him, jumping on one leg. The one touched by the “salka” himself becomes “water”. An important condition is that the “tag” must also jump on one leg.
Hitting the rope
This simple game will help you develop your reaction speed and have a lot of fun. Its meaning is that a tight rope is taken and tied into a ring. All players stand outside and grab it with one hand. In the center of the ring is “water”. He must have time to “salt” one of the players, who then takes his place.
Cossack robbers
This is an old Russian game, the rules of which our parents and grandparents know by heart. Its meaning is that all participants are divided into two teams “Cossacks” and “robbers”. The Cossacks choose a place where they will set up a “dungeon” and choose a watchman. At this time, the robbers scatter and hide, leaving arrows and other clues on their way. The Cossacks must find every robber and bring him to prison. A guard remains with each captured player, however, other robbers can help a teammate and, by capturing the guard, free the captive. The game ends when all the robbers are caught.
The robbers, in order to avoid being found for as long as possible, first run away all together and then split up.
According to one version of this game, the robbers guess a secret password word, and the Cossacks must find it out. Therefore, the game continues even after all the robbers have been caught, until the password is found out.
"You're going slower"
This noisy and fun game requires not only skill, but also resourcefulness. Before starting, you need to draw two lines on the ground at a distance of 5 meters from each other. There is “water” in front of one of the lines, and the rest of the players in front of the other. The participants’ task is to run to the “water”. Whoever does this first takes his place. The difficulty lies in the fact that “water” periodically says: “If you drive more quietly, you will go further. Freeze! After this phrase, all players should freeze, and the presenter’s goal is to try to make each of the participants laugh without touching him. You can make faces, look intently into the eyes, tell funny stories. If one of the players laughs or smiles, he returns back to the line.
Teddy Bear
This is a very active and fun game. First you need to draw two circles on the ground. In one of them there will be a “den” with a “bear cub”, and in the other there will be a house for the rest of the participants. The players leave the “house” and sing: “I’ll take mushrooms, berries.” But the bear doesn’t sleep and growls at us.” After they finish singing, the bear cub runs out of its den with a growl and tries to catch up with the other players. The one who is caught becomes a bear cub himself.
Burners
This game was very popular in the old days. It perfectly develops attention and speed. Its meaning is that 11 players choose water, and then split into pairs and form a column. “Water” stands with its back to the participants and does not look back. A line is drawn in front of him twenty meters away.
Participants sing the following song:
“Burn, burn clearly,
So that it doesn't go out.
Look at the sky:
Birds are flying
The bells are ringing!"
After its completion, the last couple separates their hands and runs on opposite sides of the column to the “water”. Having caught up with him, they shout: “One, two, don’t be a crow, run like fire!” After this, the “water” begins to chase this pair and must “salt” one of them before they reach the line and hold hands. If he succeeds, then he becomes paired with the remaining participant, and the one who was caught up performs the duties of “water”. If it was not possible to catch up, then the couple becomes the head of the column, and the “water” continues to “burn.”
This game is different in that it can be played for a very long time until the participants get tired.
People invented ancient Russian games with concern for their children, with the idea that they would not only have fun and energetically, but also learn to communicate with each other, learn the value of friendship and know what honesty and mutual assistance are. There's nothing better than having fun fresh air, which help not only to get out of the familiar stuffiness of closed rooms, but also to find true friends, see the world in all its fascinating colors, and also give freedom to your own imagination.
Modern children also consider the games that we, modern adults, enjoyed playing in our childhood, to be ancient. These are “Ring”, “The Sea is Worried”, “Dodgeball”, “Hopscotch”, “Rubber” and others.
When creating games, the Russian people invested deep meaning into them - this is study, work, and education. Outdoor games develop dexterity, flexibility, strength, cultivate a heroic spirit, and also make you think. Folk games evoke a feeling of unity and camaraderie.
Capture of the town
Capture of the town - On a hillock, people build a fortification from trees and branches, and in winter - from snow. This will be a town. All ladies, young and old, become defenders of the fortress and are located inside the town. The men are divided into riders and horses and begin to advance. The task of the men is to destroy the fortress, penetrate and capture the banner. The difficulty is that you need to be on the horse all this time, but if the rider is thrown off or he falls himself, then he flies out of the game. The girls' task is to protect the banner and prevent it from being captured. To protect the banner, women can use sticks wrapped in skins, which creates a kind of club, bags filled with straw, and snowballs in winter. The game continues until the attackers capture the banner or abandon this idea. In most cases, the game drags on, because the horseman who captured the flag is awarded the honor of kissing all the ladies in the fortress.
Horses
Horses - players are divided into two teams - two troops. Within the team there is a division into riders and horses. The riders are most often women. The players' task is to unbalance the other pair. The team whose riders remain in the saddle wins.
Christians, having seen enough of such games from behind the bushes, then came up with scary tales about “jumping witches” who chase people to death.
Lizard
In this game, the role of a lizard is played by a young man - he is the ruler of the underworld. Around him, the participants become a circle. The lizard is blindfolded and they begin to dance around him, chanting the song:
The lizard sits
Nuts shelling
Under the walnut bush
Chok-chok, piglet,
The lizard is sitting - a fool.
"Lizard":
I want to get married!
Get yourself a girl
A young girl.
"Lizard":
Who is she,
What is her name
And where will they bring it from?
Chorus:
Here she is!
“Lizard” points a finger at the victim without removing the bandage. If the selected player turns out to be a young man, then he takes the place of the “lizard”. If it’s a girl, then the “lizard” carries her to the nearest river to “drown” her. While the lizard is carrying the girl to the water, she can pay off with a kiss or wait until the lizard gets tired. It all depends on the girl’s desire.
Blinking little lights
Participants form a double circle, that is, behind each person there is a second one - his pair. One participant is left without a pair.
The goal of the player without a pair is to entice the player standing in the inner circle by discreetly winking at him. If the player standing in the outer circle does not notice the wink, then he goes to the center, and the driver takes his place.
COSSACK FUN
SLAVIC COMPETITIVE GAMES
Definition
A striking feature of the culture of every nation is the games it creates.
For centuries, these games have accompanied Everyday life children and adults,
develop special mentality traits that are important personal qualities, reflect the social structure of the nation and views on the world.
Slavic folk games represent a conscious initiative activity,
aimed at achieving a certain goal, established by the rules games,
Which is formed on the basis of Slavic national traditions and takes into account cultural,
social and spiritual values of the people.
They combined entertainment, training, and the unique Russian culture itself.
identifying and encouraging strong in spirit and body, fostering readiness to accept the challenge,
stand up for the weak, overcome weakness in yourself.
Quote:
“Games have long served as a means of self-knowledge, here they showed their best qualities: kindness,
nobility, mutual assistance, self-sacrifice for the sake of others.
After a hard day of work, adults enjoyed taking part in children's games,
teaching them how to have fun and relax.”
A.A. Taran, "Russian folk games and their classification"
What it is?
In this article we will look at the main types similar games- from the simple entertainment of common people,
to royal amusements, from forgotten amusements to disciplines that have become sports today
And crossed the borders of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
Antiquity was not particularly rich in entertainment, but it was truly massive -
everyone, young and old, took part in the festivities and celebrations.
On the holiday, a rare day free from work, people sought to take a break from hard everyday work by playing,
Competing or simply participating in the fun as spectators. But games served our ancestors not only as fun and entertainment,
And also military training before battles with opponents, of which the Slavs always had a great variety.
The very word “fun” among the Slavs did not have a completely “entertaining” meaning, but a broader one: “mass event”.
Most often, the mass event was one of the games listed here.
The duel between the monk Peresvet and the Tatar Kochubey is symbolic - Rus' constantly attracted foreign conquerors from all over the world
Martial arts
Fist fight. Throughout History, the Slavs waged constant wars, and military exercises and games
became an integral part of ancient Slavic culture, firmly entering everyday life and being reflected in traditional “fun”.
Russian fist fighting (“fist fun”) is a vivid example of this.
Historical reference
The first chronicle mentions of fist fighting are found at the beginning of the 13th century. Grand Duke of Kyiv, Mstislav III,
and the Prince of Pskov, Vladimir, encouraging his soldiers before the battle, presented them with freedom: to fight on horseback or on foot.
And he received the answer: “We don’t want to go on horseback, but we will fight, following the example of our ancestors, on foot and with fists.”
At first glance, fist fighting may seem like a rather barbaric form of entertainment.
But, remembering that in Rus' there was rarely a year without war, it is quite natural that for the common people
(which at any moment could be called upon as a militia) it became a historical tradition.
And for the state as a whole - a useful school in which the population learned the art of war “on the job.”
Usually poorly armed militias sought to compensate for this disadvantage with quick reaction and skillful,
unexpected use of the situation, and this is what fistfight taught them.
Fist fights were carried out one on one or “wall to wall” (group fight).
Fist fights have always attracted many spectators, hungry for the spectacle of uncompromising struggle
One-on-one fights (“self-vs-sam”) were mainly carried out before mass battles, or were used to resolve disputes,
And also in judicial practice. In the latter case, such a duel was called “field”
and was used as judicial evidence: it served to definitively confirm the defendant’s correctness in a court case.
The most outstanding single fighters were willingly taken by the boyars “under their wing” -
they fed from the master's table and were showered with all sorts of favors, and the boyars bet on them, bringing them together in fights for their amusement.
“Wide” places were chosen as places for fighting in the summer - city squares, clearings.
In winter, “fun” most often took place on the ice of rivers or lakes. The battles took place during Russian folk holidays,
Most of which in Rus' are used for the winter. They went out to fights in felt boots and short fur coats,
which left a certain imprint on the fighting technique.
The blows were applied in such a way as to pierce warm clothing - using the weight of the entire body.
“Fists” of all ages and classes gathered on the ice of a frozen river
Most fist fights were “proper”, i.e. carried out according to the rules.
Here are their main provisions:
· fight “for love” - that is, have no anger towards the enemy,
· do not hit a lying opponent,
· do not hit from behind,
· do not hold heavy objects in your fist,
· do not trip or grab the opponent’s clothes,
· do not kick (a kick with a shod foot could cripple the opponent).
Almost the entire male population, from boys (!) to adults, took part in wall-to-wall battles.
The teenagers “started” the battle, then the men came together, and at the end the strongest “reliable” fighters joined in.
Each wall could have two, three, four or more rows of fighters. They fought street to street, village to village, settlement to settlement.
Group combat taught me to stand shoulder to shoulder, allowing me to practice joint actions.
A sense of comradeship and mutual assistance developed - skills that are indispensable in battle.
The fist fight continued until one of the parties fled.
At the end of the “fun”, the most distinguished fighters were honored -
They were given wine to drink and led through the streets with songs glorifying their exploits.
However, no uniform rules were used and often the battles were limited to
Only unchanged - “don’t beat someone who is lying down” and “don’t kill them to death.”
There was also a very tough type of battle, “dump-clutch”, more reminiscent of a massacre -
it used everything from kicks to flails, sticks and knives. After such dumps, people were often left injured and even killed.
Before the battle, obligatory cleansing rituals were carried out
From the fact that even children were allowed to engage in fist fights, it is clear that
Which the Slavs had to cultivate the strength of the body and spirit from childhood. To modern man it's wild to imagine
how a mother would let her child go into a 50/50 fight, senseless and yet quite brutal.
However, for our ancestors this was a completely meaningful and acceptable lesson,
A kind of school for a man, as concrete as possible, “on living material”, teaching not just fighting skills and tricks -
but much more important is the spirit of joint competition, mutual support and unity. Hardened from childhood for life.
Looking back at the traditions of Russian fist fighting, it becomes easier to understand that unprecedented resilience
and the self-sacrifice that the Slavs from time immemorial have shown in wars for their homeland.
With the development of firearms, fistfights lost their practical significance for the state
(Christianity played a significant role here, striving to eradicate pagan customs) and it declared them “harmful fun.”
In 1274, Metropolitan Kirill convened a council in Vladimir, at which, among other rules, it was decided:
“excommunicate from the church those involved in fist fights and stake fights, and do not perform funeral services for those killed.”
Fist fights were prohibited with enviable consistency, but even after the decree of Nicholas I (in 1832)
“On the universal and complete prohibition of fist fights” (“Fist fights, as harmful fun, are completely prohibited”) -
they did not cease to exist and continued to be preserved in folk life:
“In Moscow there was a factory worker named Semyon, a strong fighter
Contagion from the stove tile
Knocked out with his iron finger,
When in battle he appeared before the wall
He overturned everything and drove it in front of him.
Fear, horror of him,
And cries of joy and praise follow him...”
A.E. Izmailov
The outcome of this fight is familiar to us from school. "Song
about
merchant
Kalashnikov" M Yu.Lermontova illustrated by Vasnetsov
Historical reference
After 1917, fist fighting was included in the “rotten legacy of the damned tsarism”
and did not find its place among wrestling sports. The ideology of fist fighting, based on religiosity and community cohesion,
It went against the party ideology, which extols completely different values, and fist fighting did not receive any development during the years of Soviet Power.
All attempts to introduce folk fighting techniques into the training program for border guards and police were unsuccessful.
The revival of fist fighting is already happening in our time - numerous schools and styles of Slavic
combat
arts,
Based on the traditions of fist fighting or using its elements.
Professional communities of Slavic martial arts:
Dances and dances
It is now difficult for us to discern and understand the roots of modern Slavic
dancing while watching her on TV
Or at festivities and holidays performed by folklore groups. And it was not created as entertainment at all,
but as a specific system of game training for Slavic warriors, helping to develop
combat motor skills, endurance develop agility and strength.
Gopak, trepak, “Cossack”, “lady”, sailor’s “apple” and other dances contain residual elements of foot combat and martial arts.
Cossacks are big fans of dancing the hopak. And there are still legends about how they fought in other countries
For example, the essence of the most famous Russian dance “Barynya” was not just to dance with a woman.
It’s about fighting for a partner with other dancers, and fighting not with force, not with rudeness, but with dancing skill!
They danced with the woman, trying not to let their rival get close to her.
He, in turn, tried to fight off the dancer, brushing off his opponent with a skillful movement and continuing the dance himself.
Therefore, the real “Lady” is very difficult - careful control over complex combat transitions is required.
It was considered unacceptable not only to touch a partner with a blow, but even to frighten her with a dangerous movement.
It turns out that it’s not a dance, but a duel – but not a fight, but an art!
Since ancient times, dancing competitions have been held in Rus'. They danced both alone and in pairs with an opponent.
The competition most often took place at fairs. They “bet” on the dancers and placed bets, and the winners received prizes: gifts, money or wine.
The dancers constantly trained, inventing new combinations of “knocks” unknown to their opponents and spectators.
Before the competition, the developments were kept a big secret. This constantly replenished and enriched the technique of Russian dance.
“Lady” is only a peaceful dance at first glance. The struggle for a girl is relevant between young people at all times. It was this confrontation that formed the basis of the dance
There were pair and single dances. In the first case, one of the dancers showed some kind of movement or connection,
the opponent had to repeat them exactly, then show his own. In the second, the competitors alternately showed their movements,
however, the previous ones could not be repeated. The loser was the one who ran out of tricks first.
Historical reference
One of the variants of the combat dance “skobar” (or, as it was also called, “breaking the merry”)
provided for direct contact with the enemy during execution.
They “performed” it to the rhythmic and simple playing of an accordion.
The fight dance took place according to various agreements, for example, until the first blood or until the first fall.
The fight could be stopped by an accordion player (in older times - a guslar) by stopping playing.
Before the “breaking” began, the dancer shook his head, ruffling his hair.
These actions, coupled with certain exclamations and stamping, belonged to the elements of ancient folk magic.
By performing them, a person left the usual everyday space, moving into a different layer of existence,
where time flowed differently and the senses worked differently.
The relaxed body of the squire reacted not only to the actions of his opponent, but even to the breath of the breeze.
This state is similar to the trance into which the warriors of the East put themselves.
In addition to military dances, there were also numerous peaceful dances and games,
ritual and simply entertainment purposes. The most “Slavic” of which is the round dance (kolo, korogod, tank).
Games-rites
Ritual games in Rus' are somewhat akin to modern role-playing games.
The players dressed up (“dressed up”) in various clothes - taking on the images of animals or higher powers.
Such games were based on the natural magic of similarity: pancake, round dance, burning wheel -
are like the sun and, remembering him, people make his images, asking him to return as soon as possible after the winter cold.
They believed that they were really helping spring come faster.
Christianity was never able to completely eradicate the belief in pagan gods,
and parts of ancient rituals, no, no, yes slip through in our everyday life.
Rus' did not immediately accept the new faith. Clashes between pagans and Christians shook the country for a long time
Round dances throughout Rus' were used as a festive ritual dance, mainly in the spring.
The circle among the Slavs was a symbol of the sun, and the dance symbolized the approaching blossoming of nature
and sought to help her awaken after winter. The round dance was accompanied by a song asking for the future harvest.
People brought a large loaf of bread baked the day before to the field and “fed” the earth with it.
They also used dance to ward off supposed trouble from the village -
one peasant on a horse plowed the land along the edge of the entire village, and the rest, holding hands, followed him in a chain and sang.
Round dances are a favorite pastime of rural youth. You can choose the bride and look after the groom
The round dance also served as youth entertainment and included not only the circular dance itself,
But also much more: the walkers played on musical instruments, within the round dance itself, everyday scenes and pantomimes were played out.
Komoeditsy (March 23) – “holiday of eating komos,” special pancakes dedicated to the bear. Better known as Maslenitsa.
People jumped over fires, washed themselves with melt water or snow,
after which they solemnly burned the effigy of Winter Madder at the stake, throwing garbage, straw and old things into the fire.
Historical reference
Usually Maslenitsa (Madder) was represented in the form of a huge effeminate figure made from straw,
they dressed him up in an absurd way, put him in a sleigh and drove him around the villages.
The carnival train could consist of a dozen sleighs in which mummers rode around.
After completing the festive ritual, the doll was burned, saying goodbye to it:
“Goodbye, goodbye,
Our Maslenitsa.
Goodbye, goodbye
Our wide...”
The image of Maslenitsa combined the deadly (winter) and life-giving (spring) principles:
people seemed to be entering into new life, said goodbye to the old one.
With the adoption of Christianity, the image of Maslenitsa underwent significant changes,
although he did not completely lose his pagan features.
Nothing can replace the living spirit of the holiday. Not many people in our time have managed to ride a troika like that while playing an accordion.
After this they went to “wake up the bear” (“wake up”). In a pit-den, covered with dead wood, lay a mummer,
Depicting a sleeping bear. They danced around the den, shouting and trying to wake up the clubfoot.
Then they started throwing branches, snowballs, and twigs at him. “The Bear” didn’t wake up until
until one of the girls sat on his back and bounced on it.
Then the girl ran away, taking with her a piece of the bear's outfit.
The mummer got up and began to dance, imitating the awakening of the bear, and went to look for his loss, leaning on a crutch:
“Creak your leg, creak your linden leg!
And the water is sleeping, and the earth is sleeping.
And they sleep in the villages, they sleep in the villages.
One woman does not sleep, she sits on my skin.
He spins my fur, cooks my meat.
It’s drying out my skin.”
Having caught his offender, the “bear” tried to “strangle” her in his arms.
After the “awakenings” it was the turn of the rest of the Maslenitsa games:
Little town, little fists, little horses, riding on swings and horses, and climbing a pole for a gift.
Maslenitsa pillar. A tall, absolutely smooth pillar was installed in the square, and in addition, it was also rubbed with oil or lard.
A prize (for example, a pair of boots) was hung at the top of the pole, and anyone could try their luck to remove the prize.
The task was not an easy one - often daredevils slid down the pole back down to the laughter of the assembled people, having barely completed half the journey.
Often a wheel was installed at the top of the post, with ropes or chains attached to it - a prototype of modern “giant steps”.
Are there any more heroes left...? Or did they spare oil on the pole...? Although not everyone can handle such a pole without oil
Kolyada (Christmastide) begins on December 29 - at the time when the day gradually begins to arrive, “turning towards spring.”
Before the festival, the magician howled like a wolf, driving away evil spirits - another element of pagan natural magic.
On Kolyada there was a custom to dress up in animal dress and walk around the courtyards singing,
begging the owners for food - caroling.
This mischievous goat went to carol during Christmas time
The head of the mummers was a goat, followed by her retinue - a cat, a fox, a crane, a pig:
“Oh, I’m dancing, I’m dancing for my dear
Maybe it will give half a gold.
Oh, not enough, not enough, that’s it!
Oh, I'm galloping, galloping, I want silver!
Since you have a son, give me a wheel of cheese
Since you have a daughter, give me a barrel of honey
If you're not rich, kick me out of the house
Be it with a log, or a broom, or a crooked poker.”
The “animals” sang along:
“Our goat is an old dereza
She walked from Kyiv and went around all of Rus'”….
People threw gifts into the carolers' bags: sausage, lard, gingerbread, cookies - who was rich in what.
Having collected a full bag of gifts, they set off to feast.
The holiday ended with games - you need to roll a burning wheel up the mountain with the words:
“Roll up the hill, come back with spring.”
Sun - main symbol pagan faith. Natural power received from the Sun emanates from this Slavic sorcerer. Painting by V. Korolkova, “The Magus”
Trizna. With the advent of a new memorial and cult element in the burial ritual -
mound, a new funeral rite arose - a funeral feast. Trizna is a military tradition,
consisting of a sacrifice, a memorial rite, a feast and military games in honor of the deceased (fallen) warriors.
Such games among the Slavs included competitions in archery, throwing knives, axes and sulits at a target, horse racing and martial arts.
“The soldiers recalled the days gone by...” There are many such mounds in Rus' to this day.
Mass Games
At fairs and festivities, strongman competitions in lifting stones and other heavy objects were popular.
pushing logs; beam fighting: when two participants sat in front of each other on a high-mounted beam
And they tried to knock each other to the ground with blows from bags of sawdust or sticks wrapped in rags.
Children competed with each other in a “running” race, that is, a race.
Mass games included tug of war (net), snowballs, sledding,
Running on stilts is a well-known game even now. We'll take a closer look at some of the games.
Tug-of-war is enjoyed by both adults and children even today
Capture of the town. On the hillock, an amusing fortification was erected from logs and branches, and in winter from snow (a town).
Women and girls, the defenders of the town, were inside the “fortress”.
The guys, divided into “riders” and “horses,” began an attack. Their task was to destroy the fortifications and,
Having broken through the ranks of defenders, capture the banner. At the same time, it was necessary to sit on the “horse”.
If the “rider” fell from the “horse” or was pulled off, then he no longer took part in the game.
The task of women is to prevent the banner from being captured. To do this, they used very impressive means:
sticks wrapped in skins, bags filled with straw, and in winter also snowballs.
The game continued until the men captured the town or abandoned this idea.
The player who managed to capture the banner had the right to kiss all the defenders.
Participants in the game were not forbidden to sit on a real horse
Horses. The players were divided into two “armies”. Each “army”, in turn, consisted of “horses” and “horses”.
The riders were usually girls who climbed onto the backs of boys.
The players' task was simple - to unbalance the other pair.
The couple that stayed on their feet the longest won.
Sport games
Such games include rounders and towns. Having lived to this day, they have acquired uniform rules,
without losing yours characteristic features– excitement, enthusiasm, originality.
Lapta in ancient times was a popular pastime among the Slavs.
There are numerous references to this folk game in Russian chronicles.
During excavations of ancient Novgorod, among other items,
A lot of balls were discovered, as well as the lapta (stick-bat) itself, which gave the name to the game.
Lapta was also popular with the Vikings, who, apparently, adopted it from the Slavs -
Norwegian archaeologists have repeatedly found bits for playing lapta.
Russian writers also paid attention to the game. U A.AND .
We find Kuprin:
“This folk game is one of the most interesting and useful games.
Lapta requires resourcefulness, deep breathing, attentiveness, resourcefulness, fast running,
a keen eye, the firmness of a hand strike and the eternal confidence that you will not be defeated.
There is no place for cowards and lazy people in this game. I heartily recommend this native Russian game...”
Historical reference
The first attempt to create unified official rules for Russian lapta was made in 1926.
However, lapta was never recognized at the state level.
And only in 1957, thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts, the first official competition took place.
Other peoples of the world also have games similar to lapta:
The British have cricket, the Americans have baseball, the Cubans have pelota, the Finns have pesa pallo, the Germans have a barrier.
Historical reference
The first championship of the Russian Federation was held in 1958, and in 1959 lapta was included in the program of the Spartakiad of the Peoples of the RSFSR.
In the 60-70s. the development of lapta is suspended, and the original game is dying out.
Lapta was saved from oblivion by the resolution of the USSR State Sports Committee “On the development of baseball, softball and Russian lapta,” adopted in 1987.
By the beginning of 1988, lapta was already cultivated in 344 collectives physical culture RSFSR, Ukraine, Belarus.
In 1990, the first official Russian championship took place in Rostov.
In 1994, the game was included in the Unified All-Russian Sports Classification.
In 1995, new competition rules were developed.
Lapta is played on a flat area approximately 30 by 70 m. two teams of 5-12 people.
One team is considered the “hitting” team, the other is the “driving” team. After successfully hitting the ball with a bat, a player of the batting team
tries to run to the end of the field, where the “home” is located, and then return back.
Each player who makes such a successful run earns the team one point.
If he is hit with the ball, then the kicking team goes to the field.
Towns (ryukhi, pigs). The history of this game goes back several centuries -
it is almost as old as lapta.
Mention of towns can be found in fairy tales and ancient legends,
And in documents relating to the history of Ancient Rus'.
It is not at all necessary to know History to understand what is happening in the picture. Towns have changed little over the centuries
The point of the game was to knock out the target figure with a wooden bat throw
(folding from wooden posts- “towns”) beyond the line playing field- "cities".
The rules of the game, the size of the field, the pieces themselves, the number and distance of throws in different areas varied greatly,
And the towns were brought to a “common denominator” after the Revolution, in 1923.
Historical reference
As a sport with uniform rules, towns were formed by 1923,
When the first All-Union competitions were held in Moscow.
The towns were included in the program of the first All-Union Olympics in 1928.
In 1933, new rules were issued, in which 15 figures were defined,
And the game was largely regulated. Essentially these rules still apply today.
IN Soviet time the game was extremely popular and it was rare that a stadium or factory did not have its own site.
Now the popularity of the towns has decreased somewhat, although in 2001 the first world championship in this sport was held in St. Petersburg.
The game itself is very simple and even self-production equipment for it does not require special skill -
whittling out a bat-stick and heels of wooden cylinders is not a tricky task, especially for a Russian peasant.
So the game received widespread love and recognition among the people. Although it served as entertainment not only for ordinary people:
Peter the Great, Suvorov, Lenin, Stalin and other notable figures were avid city dwellers.
But the Slavs also had entertainment, although inaccessible to the people, but without which the History of our state is unthinkable.
Royal fun
This is how dog and falconry hunting was called in Rus' since ancient times. These hobbies came to us from the East.
But in Rus' they received so many typically Slavic features that now we can talk about them as national.
“Hound hunting is a dashing pastime of our ancestors, even today
pleases the hearts of Russian hunters who treasure the legacy of antiquity,”
He wrote in his book “Pershinskaya hunting” D.P. Valtsov.
Even the picture exudes excitement and conveys the joyful excitement of the hunters
Dog hunting in Rus' dates back more than one century - in the chronicles of the 12th century there are references to
that even under the Grand Duke Vladimir Monomakh, “animals were poisoned by dogs,”
And on one of the frescoes of Sofia Cathedral in Kyiv (built in the 11th century) depicts a pointy-eared dog chasing a deer.
Initially, hunting dogs were used in hunting, which were distinguished not so much by their speed,
no matter how much force and malice, but later, a unique breed of fast hunting dogs was bred in Rus' - Russian greyhounds.
Historical reference
The word “greyhound” before the 15th century. characterized exclusively by the agility of the horses.
In the 17th century Russian breed
greyhounds are formed as a national one.
In 1600 Boris Godunov sent a pair of greyhounds as a gift to Shah Abbas of Iran.
And this was truly a royal gift, since the price of these dogs was incredibly high, but the Shah’s dogs were not interested.
It is not for nothing that hound hunting was considered one of the “royal pastimes” - maintaining a kennel, training dogs and the dogs themselves
they cost a lot of money and were affordable only by the wealthy part of the population, princes, boyars, etc.
The heads of the hunt, the hunters, were endowed with great powers and had considerable power in society.
Historical reference
Since hound hunting was the lot of aristocrats, during the years of Soviet Power
The country has practically lost Russian greyhounds - the dogs with which hunting was traditionally carried out.
Even now in Russia there are only about 1.5 thousand dogs of this breed, and then mostly in “decorative” form.
That is, dogs live outside the pack and are not adapted to hunting, but serve only as home decoration for their owners.
For comparison: in Germany the population of Russian greyhounds numbers 15 thousand individuals, in the USA - 45 thousand.
Fields with islands of forest or bushes and deep ravines - places where animals spend their days - were most suitable for hound hunting.
Horse hunters with greyhounds were located in places where animals were likely to emerge.
A pack of hounds was launched into islands or ravines. The hounds drove the raised beast into open fields,
where the greyhounds released from the packs with a sharp rush overtook him and took him.
Historical reference
In the XVIII - XIX centuries. in hound hunts of Romadanovsky, Sheremetevsky, Razumovsky, Orlov, Panin, Baryatinsky
and others there were 150 - 200 and even 300 dogs, and in the hunt of Peter II in 1729.
There were 420 dogs and dozens of hunting servants - hunters, chasers, greyhound keepers, vzhlyatniks, korytniks, grooms, cooks.
They most often hunted hares and foxes, but wolf hunts were especially highly valued.
However, hunting served not only as entertainment for the rich - its significance was also great from a political point of view.
Important state issues and problems were resolved during hunts.
Often, hunts were organized specifically for foreign ambassadors and diplomats -
and the fate of the state could depend on its successful implementation.
Falcon hunting. “Russia is a large country, right up to the ocean, and on this ocean they have several islands,
where falcons and gyrfalcons are found,” Marco once described our country Polo.
And in Russian songs, fairy tales and epics clear falcon– a frequent visitor, “noble bird”.
Falconry preceded canine hunting in Rus' and was subsequently gradually replaced by it.
It arose around the 8th century and reached its peak in the 17th century under Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich.
However, by the end of the 19th century, only a few small nobles continued to hunt with birds of prey,
and after the Revolution, centuries-old hunting traditions were lost, and hunting itself was forgotten.
Falconry is quiet - no dogs barking, no beaters screaming, no gunshots. But this makes the swift flight of a falcon no less fascinating, and the prey in its claws
With a falcon (gyrfalcon, hawk, golden eagle) they hunted birds (quail, black grouse, herons) and animals (hares, foxes).
Like canines, falconry was a privilege of the nobility, since keeping and caring for birds was very expensive.
Falconry was valued primarily for its beauty and aristocracy - experts enjoyed the spectacle of a bird attacking its prey.
However, the fashion for this activity has turned hunting from a sport into something between an obligatory ritual
For nobles and balls, where you can “look at others and show yourself off.”
Historical reference
According to legend, one of the Moscow churches is dedicated to the patron saint of all falconers, St. Tryphon and it was erected by the falconer of Ivan the Terrible,
In gratitude to the saint for appearing to him in a dream and telling him where the missing white gyrfalcon, the king’s favorite, was located.
Currently, enthusiasts are uniting in falconry clubs with the goal of reviving this ancient pastime.
Conclusion
Cinema, television, computers and other technical benefits of civilization with all their advantages
have one significant disadvantage - they alienate people from each other, bringing entertainment,
For which you don’t have to leave the house, meet and communicate with other people.
But folk games and festivities continue to unite people: New Year, Maslenitsa,
Easter and other holidays still bring people out into the streets and allow them to remember half-forgotten traditions.
It remains to wish that the original Russian customs do not fade away, do not degenerate,
but were preserved for our children and grandchildren so that the connection of times would not be interrupted.
A hero is not a profession, but a calling. And the Slavic culture, based on mass games and rituals, raised heroic defenders
Folk games and fun- Website about Russian folk games - http://www.glee.ru/
Slavyanskaya Sloboda- Games, customs and holidays of the Slavs - http://slavyans.narod.ru/index.html
Struggle- Website about national types of wrestling of the peoples of the former USSR - http://ussrwrestling.narod.ru /
Orthodoxy- Library, Slavic dictionary, history, holidays http://www.pravoslavie.by/
Slavic paganism- Photo gallery of pagan holidays - http://www.paganism.ru/photos.htm
Book of Veles- Photo illustrations and text of the famous Book of Veles - http://svterem.narod.ru/files/dop.htm
Yes, we are Scythians!- Gallery of Slavic paintings by A. Klimenko - http://www.kurgan.kiev.ua/klim.html
Symbols- Website on ornaments, symbols, runes of the Slavs - http://ornament.narod.ru/
Dictionary- Dictionary of obsolete and dialect words - http://www.telegraph.ru/misc/day/dis.htm
ABC- Slavic alphabet - http://heathen.narod.ru/az/azbuka.htm
History of Rus'– A brief history guide - http://www.lants.tellur.ru/history/istrus.htm
Warrior– Russian fighting styles - http://warriors.newmail.ru/russtyle.htm
Russian armor- Site about Russian armor of the 10th – 14th centuries. - http://rusarmor.chat.ru/
Russian Vedas– Bibliography of works on paganism - http://apknvart.chat.ru/d_l.htm
IFGS- Website of the International Gorodki Sports Federation - http://www.gorodki.com.ru/IFGS/index.htm
Taken from the site http://ludology.ru/45321?SELQUANT=1
Playing is the most favorite pastime of children and adults. Game is the best and most effective form of acquiring new knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience. In games, a person learns everything he needs in life. That is why in the Slavic tradition the entire process of teaching children was built in the form of a game. However, many adults now do not remember the games they played as children. And remembering them during the holidays, they have fun like children. Remember those games that you and your great-great-great...parents played. Many of them develop abilities: dexterity, attentiveness, endurance, ingenuity, etc. Who, if not you, will pass on these games to your children.
The merman (driver) sits in a circle with his eyes closed. The players dance around him with the words:
Grandfather of the water,
Why are you sitting under water?
Look out for a little bit
For one minute.
One, two, three - the merman don’t sleep!
The round dance stops, the “water man” gets up and, without opening his eyes, approaches one of the players.
The merman's task is to determine who is in front of him. If the merman guessed right, he changes role and now the one whose name was named becomes the leader. The "merman" can touch the player standing in front of him, but his eyes cannot be opened. For greater difficulty, the "merman" with last words the song unwinds towards the movement of the round dance.
P.S.
When they play for a long time, many people are already recognized by their clothes, so our guys sometimes change scarves, or take off some piece of clothing to make it more difficult. Squat lower or stand on tiptoes. The game is very fun. As a rule, it is played the longest.
“Blind Man's Bluff” is an ancient game that has many varieties. Children of all ages play it. The number of participants is usually from 4 to 25 people. In all varieties, the essence is the same: the driver with his eyes closed - “blind man's buff” - must catch other players and guess who he caught.
All players, holding hands, form a circle. The driver (by lot) stands in the middle of the circle. He is blindfolded or has a cap placed on his head to cover his eyes. You can give the driver a stick, or you can play without it.
All players move in a circle in one direction until the driver stops with the command “Stop!” Then everyone stops, and the driver extends his hand forward. It should be taken up by the one playing at whom it is directed. The driver asks him to raise his voice, that is, to say something. The player calls the name of the driver or makes any sound by changing his voice. If the driver guesses who voted, he changes place and role with him. If he doesn’t guess correctly, he continues to drive.
Rules:
You can ask for a voice up to 3 times, after which the driver must say who is holding his hand (or wand).
If the driver fails to guess 3 times, he is replaced by a new driver by lot or choice.
When the driver asks for a voice, there must be complete silence.
FLOOR, BOW, CEILING
This game is also a good test of attentiveness. It is very simple, its rules are easy to explain. Right hand point to the floor and say: “Floor.” Then point to your nose (it will be better if you touch it), say: “Nose,” and then raise your hand up and say: “Ceiling.” Take your time. Let the guys show with you, and you will call. Your goal is to confuse the guys. Say: “Nose,” and at this time point to the ceiling. The guys must listen carefully and show correctly.
AND I wonder if anyone had any thoughts or assumptions about where all the children's games and fun came from? It is no coincidence that such games as “Cossack Robbers” or everyone’s favorite battle with snow “bombs” came into our children’s lives. In fact, all these joyful fun have enduring history, which originated from ancient times, when there was a united Rus'. If we show a little curiosity and perseverance, we can find out interesting details about any good old folk game, because the creation of such games was not done by chance. Each fun was preceded by some kind of backstory. Prehistory, as a rule, has the character of everyday life or a cultural-historical character. Small casket with artistic decor Traditional Russian painting was a storage room for objects participating in children's fun.
Classification of games of the ancient Slavs
So let's take a closer look at a small list of games that your children can play. Each game is unique in its own way and you won’t have to spend a lot of effort on it, but you will still have to spend time, because if you like the game, you won’t be able to tear yourself away from it. Every game contains excitement, a large number of fun memories and provides quality active work.
Considering the games of the ancient Slavs, one can notice that they are all divided into 5 areas with varied themes:
- games for resourcefulness, speed and coordination;
- games based on religious and cult motives;
- war games;
- games reflecting the relationship between man and nature;
- games of strength and dexterity;
- games reflecting the daily activities and life of our ancestors.
Looking back into the past, we can see that previously the “man-nature” tandem was much stronger and dependent on each other. Human life has always depended on the mercy of nature, because hunting, working in the fields, etc. - all this was feasible only when the weather and nature were favorable to the Russian people.
Therefore, it is not surprising that nature played a big role in the customs, holidays, culture and traditions of the Slavic people. Every child's dad was a hunter, and every kid wanted to feel the same emotions and show the same actions as adults. From here various games related to man and nature began to emerge. Children began to repeat the actions of adults, thereby creating some kind of fun. Most often, the heroes of the games were some kind of predatory forest animals - a fox, a bear, a wolf. For example, “bear and leader” or “wolves and sheep.”
Each area of hunting was taken under a separate wing of the children and turned into some kind of fun game. Each Slavic game is different in that, considering each one separately, you can briefly but very closely become acquainted with the culture of our ancestors, with their daily activities and concerns. In particular, a reflection of Slavic life can be seen in such games as “Fishing Rod”, “Bird Catcher”, etc.
Echoes of religious and cult life can also be observed in the games of the Slavic peoples. A variety of all kinds of evil spirits have always appeared in entertainment - brownies, devils, mermaids, mermen, witches, etc. But children can show amazing imagination and make the game more active, more dangerous and terribly gambling. Examples of such games are "Devils in Hell" or "Merman".
We cannot ignore such wonderful games as “Blind Man’s Bluff”, “12 Sticks”, etc., because thanks to them, children perfectly develop coordination, resourcefulness, and speed. Children are creatures who do not like to sit in one place; they need to move, search, explore, participate in adventures, and be interested in everything that happens around them. Therefore, Slavic games allow children to get a full dose of activity, positive emotions, competition, as well as a large number of competitions.
Games to determine strength and dexterity also did not go unnoticed. People who exhibit such abilities have always been valued and are still valued among the majority. Therefore, games were invented that showed the invincible power of the Russian people - “Rooster Fight”, for example.
Military themes could not help but enter children's games. Over their long history, war games have not undergone any significant changes and have come down to us in almost their original form.
Well, where would we be without military fun? To this day, the traditions of war games have remained intact, and we have unique opportunity take part in the warriors of those times. IN general idea The game looks like this: participants are divided into two teams opposing each other. Later they explain to each other about what weapons they will oppose in the fight, and how the winner will be determined. From examples we can recall such games as “Cossacks-Robbers”, “Snowballs”, etc.