It was so unfair! Just when I was about to beat Sanjay’s score on our favourite video game, Amai (mother) announced that today is Digital Detox Day! I mean, COME ON!
That meant that no one was allowed on the computer, phone, TV, PlayStation or any other digital devices. It wasn’t just me – Naniso was not pleased either, the new series of her favourite dance TV programme started today!
Amainini Bevie, Amai’s sister found it all amusing. She is visiting for a few days and has kicked the football around with me in our small garden. She introduced us to a game called “Nhodo”, which has kept us occupied for most of the day. This game requires great hand-eye coordination and, as Naniso and I are finding out, is very competitive. You should give it a go! Here’s how you play.
You will need:
- Twenty small Pebbles (vana) or less (small stones will do, ask permission if they are decorative stones)
- A larger pebble called mudodo or mbuga (we used a small bouncy ball instead).
- A large piece of cardboard or paper. (The original game requires you to dig a small hole about 10cm in diameter and 5 cm deep)
Here’s how you play:
- Draw a circle about 10cm in diameter on the cardboard or paper.
- Place all the pebbles into the circle
- All players sit around the circle
Level One (MamuOne):
- Step 1: Using only one hand, toss the mbuga/mudodo in the air, sweep more than one pebble out of the circle before catching the mbuga/mudodo.
- Step 2: Again, using only one hand, toss the mbuga/mudodo in the air and return all but one pebble back into the circle before catching it again.
- If step 2 is successful, keep the pebble that was left out of the circle.
- Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until all pebbles have been removed from the circle.
The player loses their turn if they:
- Fail to catch the mbuga/mudodo.
- Sweep out fewer pebbles than the number needed for the level.
- Leave the incorrect number of pebbles outside the circle.
The winner of the level is the player with the most pebbles at the end!
Level Two (MamuTwo)
Repeat steps 1 and 2 above but this time sweep out more than two pebbles and leave two outside the circle when dragging the pebbles back.
Keep increasing the levels by leaving out more and more pebbles!
We had fun playing this game today, but we definitely can’t wait until this Digital Detox day is over!
Have fun!