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Traditional sports and games in an European scenario “Ga.M.E.S.Net European cultural diversity through the promotion and protection of nthe traditional sports and games” Preparatory Action: European partnership on Sport (EAC/S03/2013) Priority n. 3: Promoting Traditional European Sports and Games – G.A. N EAC –2013– 0489] Team: Ites juegos Marta D’Atri (Italy) Coordinator Alberto Ramos Alonso (Spain) Reviser
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   Traditional  sports  and  games  in  an  European  scenario    

“Ga.M.E.S.Net   -­‐   European   cultural   diversity   through   the   promotion   and  protection   of   nthe   traditional   sports   and   games”   -­‐   Preparatory   Action:  European   partnership   on   Sport   (EAC/S03/2013)   –   Priority   n.   3:  Promoting  Traditional  European  Sports  and  Games  –  G.A.  N    EAC  –2013–0489]                                

Team:  Ites  juegos  

Marta  D’Atri  (Italy)  -­‐  Coordinator  Alberto  Ramos  Alonso  (Spain)  -­‐  Reviser  

 

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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Index  1.   Introduction...........................................................................................................................3  

2.   Traditional  sports  and  games ................................................................................................4  

3.   Games  and  sports ..................................................................................................................6  

4.   Common  features..................................................................................................................9  

4.1.   Origins ............................................................................................................................9  

4.2.   When  and  why?............................................................................................................10  

4.3.   How  they  travelled .......................................................................................................11  

5.   The  importance  of  nursery  rhymes .....................................................................................12  

6.   How  to  pass  them................................................................................................................13  

6.1.   Projects  in  schools ........................................................................................................14  

6.2.   Projects  in  collaboration  with  other  institutions ..........................................................14  

7.   Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................16  

Sources  index ..............................................................................................................................17  

Bibliography ............................................................................................................................17  

Web  sites  reference................................................................................................................17  

 

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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1. Introduction  This  work  has  as  main  objective  to  present  the  popular  games  and  sports  and  their  importance  

in   different   spheres   of   life   today.   To   do   this   we   have   decided   to   work   in   a   parallel   and  

contingent   way,   studying   the   different   aspects   of   games,   general   and   specific   aspects,   not  

forgetting   a   section   dedicated   to   present   the   ideas   and   projects   that   can   be   used   for   the  

diffusion  and  the  rediscovery  of  forgotten  popular  games.  

First  you  need  to  take  into  account  the  fact  that  the  authors  of  the  work  are  two  people  from  

different  countries  and  we  don’t  want   to  emphasize   the  difficulties  of  working   together,  but  

we   would   like   to   highlight   the   great   possibilities   that   we   had   to   compare   and   share   the  

information  and  memories'  childhood.  

It   is   clear   that   the  work  does  not  pretend   to  be  a  comprehensive  manual  of  popular  games,  

neither  about  a  single  country,  nor  more  countries.  What  we  tried  to  do  was  to  present  some  

games   trying   to  highlight   those   that  are  present   in  most   countries  with   the   same  shape   (for  

example,  the  game  called  "Mosca  cieca"  in  Italy,  can  be  found  also  in  Spain  as  "Gallinita  ciega”  

in  England  “Hoodman's  Blind”  and  in  France  “Colin-­‐Maillard"  and  also  in  many  other  countries  

that  we  could  not  appoint  whereas  one  of  the  games  most  common  in  Europe1).  

For  reasons  of  language,  personal  experience  and  accessibility  of  sources,  it  is  possible  that  our  

work  will   present  more   information   about   the   games   of   our   respective   countries   (Italy   and  

Spain)   and  of  our   regions   in  particular   (Umbria   and  Castilla   y   Leon).   This   is   not  meant   to  be  

offensive  to  any  person  and  for  any  country,  but,  as  already  mentioned,  depends  for  the  most  

part   by   the   accessibility   of   the   sources,   which,   in   the   case   of   our   territories   we   found   in  

libraries  and  archives,  while  in  the  case  of  other  countries,  we  had  to  do  searches  on  internet,  

just  by  consulting  sources  and  digital  documents.    

                                                                                                                         1   Interesting  would  also   linger  on  the  different  origins  of   the  names  of   the  games.   In  this  case  we  see  that   two  of   those  presented   are   related   to   the  world   of   nature,  while   the   other   two   are  probably   of  medieval  origin  and  refer  to  human  characters.  

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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2. Traditional  sports  and  games    One  of  the  first  difficulties  encountered  has  been  to  understand  the  difference  between  games  

and   sports   and  what  mean  by   popular.  Having   completely   different   values   between   them   it  

should  make  a  clear  distinction  between   these  "disciplines".  Starting  with   the   first,  we  know  

that   sport   generally   means   activities   designed   to   develop   the   skills   together   physical   and  

mental,   as  well   as   the   complex   of   exercises   and   events   that   are   related   to   them,   assuming  

designated  locations,  organizational  structures,  teams  and  especially  the  compliance  with  rules  

codified  by  appropriate  bodies.  It  is  then,  greatly  different  from  the  game  in  the  proper  sense.  

And   yet,   lately,  with   the   advent  of   professionalism  and  with   the   conditioning  of   the  moving  

interests,  the  sport  has  become  more  and  more  a  performance  fee,  with  the  only  goal  of  the  

promotion  of  trade  and  to  give  an  image  of  corporate,  municipal  or  national.  

In  contrast,  game  means  the  activities  that  take  place  outside  of  work,  and  for  that,  Aristotle  

had  approached  him   to  happiness   and  virtue.   Taking  a   step   forward,   in  our   century,  we   see  

how  the  subject  has  been  treated  by  many  philosophers,  but  also  in  terms  of  anthropological  

and  pedagogical  view.  Huizinga,  in  his  book  Homo  Ludens  of  1938  speaks  of  the  game  as  "free  

action,  perceived  as  fictitious  and  located  outside  of  real  life,  however,  able  to  absorb  fully  the  

individual  who  plays;  action  not  linked  to  the  interests  defined  or  utility,  which  takes  place  in  a  

time  and  in  a  space  specifically  defined,  according  to  fixed  rules,  and  raises  social  relations  that  

easily   surround   themselves  with  mystery  or  centralize   through   their  diversity   in   the  ordinary  

world"2.  

More  recently,  other  subjects  have  recognized  the  usefulness  of  the  game  because  it  is  able  to  

adapt  man  to  society  and   its  educational   function  and  aesthetics.  The  game   in  all   its   forms   -­‐  

either  as  a  simple  activity  as  spectacle  -­‐  is  one  of  the  main  ways  to  use  the  free  time  of  many  

people.  

In  addition  to  being  an  action  of  separation  from  work,  serves  to  develop  skills  and  to  reveal  

the  potential  of  a  person  through  the  comparison  with  the  expression  of   the  social   instincts.  

Everything  eventually  ends  with  the  satisfaction  of  a  premium  even  if  symbolic.  Then,  without  

a   doubt,   the   game   has   an   appreciable   function   biological   and   healthy   -­‐   for   example,   in   the  

                                                                                                                         2  Huizinga  J.,  Homo  ludens,  Einaudi,  Torino,  1972  

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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bocce  game,   in  addition  to  developing  the  muscles  of  the  arms,   legs  and  the  elasticity  of  the  

spine,  also  develop  skills  such  as  balance,  concentration  and  coordination3.  

So  the  game  is  an  important  and  fundamental  part  of  every  person's  life  that  allows  people  to  

meet,  establish  relationships  and  also  fight  in  a  situation  controlled  by  the  rules.  And  someone  

says  there's  nothing  more  serious  than  game.  

In  this  chapter  we  tried  to  highlight  the  main  differences  between  game  and  sport.  In  fact,  this  

differentiation  between  the  two  activities  is  very  difficult  especially  in  a  historical  perspective,  

because   in  many   cases   those  who   now   call   games   (ex.   Tournaments),   had   very   precise   and  

codified  rules  and  were  originally  seen  as  an  integral  part  of  daily  life.  And  then  the  term  sport  

is  quite  modern  and  in  ancient  times  the  activities  that  we  now  call  sports  were  mentioned  as  

games.  

That   said,  we   have   chosen   not   to  make   a   precise   differentiation   between   traditional   games  

and  sports  and,  although  we  have  chosen  as  the  reference  period  for  the  search  of  the  games  

that   go   from   the  1800  until   the  middle  of  1900,  most  of   the  games  who  meet  have  ancient  

origins  and  it  is  impossible  not  to  refer  to  the  Middle  Ages  or  earlier.    

 

 

                                                                                                                         3   Principi   C.,  Memoria  marchigiana   sui   giochi   popolari   con   le   bocce,   in   AA.VV.,  Giochi,   tornei   e   sport,  AndreaLiviEditore,  2005  

Hopscotch   in   a   nineteenth-­‐century   painting   by   French   painter   Theophile  Emmanuel  Duverger.  

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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3. Games  and  sports  This  part  presents  a   list  of  popular  games  and  sports   that  we  met,  essencially  expanding  the  

list   of   those   presented   for   the   festival,   sometimes   representing   them   because   particularly  

present  in  our  traditions.  It  is  clear  that  to  make  a  complete  list  of  games  and  at  an  European  

level,  it  is  virtually  impossible  considering  the  great  heritage  we  have.  We  must  then  consider  

that  there   is  a   lot  of   literature  on  the  subject4  even   if   there   is  no  monographies  at  European  

level.    

Do  not  we  split  the  games  from  sports  for  all  the  reasons  given  above  and  because  we  felt   it  

was  particularly  difficult  to  make  a  correct  categorization  (think  that  the  Olympic  Games  even  

if  you  define  games  are  the  ultimate  expression  of  the  sport).  

We   finally   decided   to   split   the   games   and   sports   that   we   deemed   particularly   important,  

common  to  several  countries  or  particularly  characteristic,  in  the  categories.  We  therefore,  ball  

games,  launch  games,  games  that  you  can  play  inside,  playground  games,  racing  games.  

Most  of  these  games  have  a  long  history.  In  fact,  the  “ruzzola”  and  the  “Hopscotch”5  are  also  

found  in  Roman  tales;  crossbow,  capture  the  flag  and  jumping  rope  in  those  medieval.  

Some   games   are   common   throughout   Europe,   such   as   marbles,   horseshoe,   steals  

handkerchief.  Others   are   specific   to   a   certain   region  or   a   specific   area,   even   if   they   find   the  

variants  in  different  countries  such  as  “la  calva”  from  Spain  and  Csukozès  from  Hungary.  

Some  will   still   play   today,  while  others  have  been  abandoned  and  are   remembered   through  

sectoral  associations.  

                                                                                                                         4  Only  for   Italy  we  found  dozens  of  books  that   list  and  treat  the  popular  games  from  various  points  of  view,   analyzing   them   at   the   national,   but   also   regional   level.   What   we   have   considered   the   most  comprehensive  in  terms  of  historic  point  of  view  is:  La  Sorsa,  S.,  Come  giuocano  i  fanciulli  d’Italia,  Studio  editoriale  insurbia,  1979    5  Hopscotch  can  be  found  in  most  parts  of  Europe  and  the  world.  Already  due  to  Chinese  culture  or  the  Egyptian  one,   is  also  found   in  the  Roman  Empire  under  the  name  clàudus,  "the  game  of  the   lame",   in  reference  to  the  rule  of  jumping  with  one  foot.  Probably  for  reasons  of  conquests  and  invasions  and  the  fact  that  the  game  is  simple,  easy  to  understand  and  does  not  need  anything  hard-­‐to-­‐find,  has  a  great  spread  and  we  find  it  everywhere,  in  England  for  example  with  the  name  hopscotch,  dama  in  Bulgaria,  marelle  or  pallet  in  France,  nebe  in  Czech  Republic,  nonet  in  Spain  and  so  on.  

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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Where   possible   we   have   included   the   name   in   the   three   languages   of   presentation   of   the  

work,  but  we  decided  not   to  describe   them  analytically  because,   it  would  become  a   job   too  

complex  and,  in  any  case,  partial.  We  then  left  to  mention  the  games,  so  to  speak.  For  each  of  

those   presented  we   associate   a   hyperlink   that   refers   to   a   youtube   video,  which   explains   or  

shows   how   you   play   these   games.   We   decided   to   combine   new   technologies   with   ancient  

traditions,  because  we  felt  it  was  important  to  show  the  many  possibilities  that  this  union  can  

bring.  

Ball  games:  

Pelota  Vasca  Las  canicas;  Gioco  delle  biglie;  Marbles  Fiolet  Bolos  serranos;  Andalusian  Bowling  Calcio  storico  fiorentino  Pelota  valenciana;  Valencian  Handball  

Launch  games:  

Juego  de  la  rana;  Gioco  della  rana;  Game  of  frog  Herradura;  Ferro  di  cavallo;  Horseshoes  Lanzamiento  de  bochas  por  la  calle;  Boccia  su  strada;  Street  bocci  ball  throwing  Ruzzola  Ruzzola  del  formaggio  Palet  similar  a  Palet  Gascon  y  a  Jogo  da  Malha  y  a  Hoyetes  Lancio  dell’uovo  Peonza;  Trottola;  Spintop  Tirachinas;  Tiro  con  la  fionda;  Hand  catapult  La  Calva  (similar  a    Csukozès)  Quilles  au  Maillet    

Games  that  you  can  play  inside:  

Veo  veo;  Vedo,  vedo;  I  spy  Calienta  manos  Parchis  OCA;  Il  gioco  dell’oca  Piedra,  papel  o  tijera  simialar  a  Morra  Novuss  

Racing  games:  

Escondite;  Nascondino;  Hide  and  Seek  Carrera  de  sacos;  Corsa  dei  sacchi  LAS  CUATRO  ESQUINAS;  I  quattro  cantoni  Pilla  pilla;    Acchiapparella;  Tag  Un,  dos,  tres,  escondite  inglés  Un  due  tre  stella;  Statues  Juego  del  pañuelo;  Rubabandiera;  Capture  the  Flag  (una  variante  es  Kendozès)  

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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Playground  play:  

Rayuela;  Campana;  Hopscotch  Gallina  ciega;  Mosca  cieca;  Hoodsman’s  Blind  La  carretilla;  Il  carretto  Juego  de  la  soga;  Tiro  alla  fune  La  goma;  Saltare  la  corda;  Chinese  jump  rope These  are  just  some  of  the  typical  traditional  games  we  have,  list  and  catalog  them  all  would  

be  impossible!  

The   crossbow  and   archery  were  out   of   this   classification  but   in   any   case   they   seemed   to  us  

very   important.  These  sports  have  become  traditional  games  although  previously  capabilities  

essential  for  human  life,  for  hunting  and  combat.  

Ballesta;  Balestra;  Crossbow  Tiro  con  arco;  Tiro  con  l’arco;  Archery Some  of  these  games  are  very  familiar  to  us  because  they  are  very  common  in  our  territory.  In  

Umbria  is  well  known  the  "ruzzola",  typical  game  and  still  practiced  by  many  people.  The  goal  

is  to  throw  a  wooden  wheel  with  the  help  of  a  fine  cord  fabric.  The  player  that  with  the  fewest  

number  of   throws  eaches  the  finish   line  wins.   It   is  played  on  the  streets  wih   little   traffic  and  

often  the  competition  is  for  teams.  The  game  has  very  ancient  origins  as  early  as  600  in  Rome  

we   have   evidence   that   you  were   playing   the   game   of   "Ruzzola"   along   the   Aurelian  walls   at  

Piazza  del  Popolo6.  In  more  recent  times  we  see  that  the  game  has  been  banned  in  the  region  

considered  as  dangerous  and  disturbing.   In   the  early   '30s  were   identified   some   roads  where  

you  can  play  the  game  while  still  not  officially  authorize  the  occupation  of  public  spaces.  At  the  

end  of  the  30s,  with  the  rise  of  fascism  and  creation  of  job  after  fascists,  popular  sports  were  

revalued  and  there  was  also  a  recognition  by  the  institutions.  

In   Castilla   y   León   there   are   two   entrenched   games,   which   are   the   frog   game   and   “billar  

romano”.  The  first  has  different  varieties  in  his  name,  as  for  example  in  the  province  of  León  is  

called   "la   rana   maragata"   and   it   is   also   known   in   Latin   America.   The   dynamic   is   launching  

pieces  of  metal  like  coins  at  a  distance  of  several  meters  to  a  wooden  box  at  the  top  has  holes  

and  depending  on  the  hole  between  the  player  will  get  more  or  less  points,  with  the  hole  with  

more   points   which   is   the   mouth   of   the   frog.   Moreover   the   billar   romano   is   a   variety   of  

“Petanca”   in  which   it  differs  mainly  because   the  game   field   is  enclosed  by  wood  so   that   the  

balls  can  bounce  off  the  walls.  

                                                                                                                         6  Paita  Almo,  A  Roma  ai  tempi  di  Gian  Lorenzo  Bernini,  Fabri  Editore,  1998  

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4. Common  features  In   this  section  of   the  work,  we  wanted  to  give  an  explanation   for  what  may  be  the  common  

aspects   of   the   different   games   in   different   countries.   For   example,   we   have   analyzed   the  

origins  of  popular  games  and  sports,  why  they  are  played  and  and  when  and  how  some  games  

have  traveled  in  the  territories.  

4.1. Origins  Mainly  we  can  recognize   two  distinct  origins  and   fairly   recognizable:   the  military  art  and  the  

world  of  work.  

For  what  concerne  the  military  art  and  training,  we  can  see  it  very  well  for  all  games  related  to  

war   (ex.   for   Tournaments)   and   fighting   techniques   (struggles).   As   a   variant   of   the   military  

games  we  have  for  example  hunting  (all  over  Europe,   in  different  historical  periods  there  are  

hunts   of   bears,   pigs   or   the   bulls7)   and   games  with   horses   (in   Palios8).   If  we   do   an   historical  

excursus,  only  in  the  Umbria  region,  we  see  that  in  Norcia,  in  the  '600,  during  the  carnival  was  

organized  a   fox  hunt  within  the  city  walls9  or  Terni   in  1800  there  was  something  similar  of  a  

Corrida   in   the   arena  Gazzoli10.   The   famous   Spanish   Corrida   too  may   be   associated  with   this  

type   of   sport.   Another   sport   that   you   could   add   to   this   category   is   the   Florentine   Football,  

which  was  born  in  the  Renaissance  by  the  warlike  ideas  of  people  of  Florence,  which  especially  

in  the  beginning,  you  could  associate  more  to  a  fight  that  a  sport.    

In   all   these   games   we   can   not   deny   a   direct   connection   with   the   Roman   people   and   with  

gladiators  -­‐  in  fact,  even  in  court  tournaments  were  using  real  weapons  and  risked  the  life,  the  

difference  was  that  everything  was  codified  in  rituals  for  the  nobility.  

For  those  that  take  origin  in  the  work  life  we  can  see  all  the  games  and  sports  that  have  a  clear  

reference   to   the   land,   to   work   or   just   to   the   poverty   of   the   rural   world:   in   fact,   the   most  

important  and  probably  the  most  obvious  thing  that  we  met  in  the  mayor  part  of  the  popular  

games   of   each   country,   is   the   use   of  materials   and   everyday   objects   or   that   you   can  meet  

easily  and  cheaply.  We  can  see  examples  in  all  the  games  that  were  made  with  a  handkerchief  

                                                                                                                         7  Agenda  2008,  Direzione  generale  per  gli  archivi  8  The  most  famous  Palio   is  maybe  the  Palio  di  Siena,  but  everywhere  in  Europe  are  common  shows  of  this  type.  9  Valesini  Pierluigi,  Mos  Maiorum,  Nuova  Eliografica,  2004  10  David  Elisabetta,  Massoli  Cesare,  Feste,  giochi  e  tornei,  in  Terni,  a  cura  di  Michele  Giorgini,  Elio  Sellino  Editore,  1993  

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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or  providing  for  the   launch  of  various  objects  such  as   logs  and  rocks  or  other  equally  easy  to  

find  in  nature.  

Besides  these,  we  meet  other  activities  of  more  ancient  origin,  who  come  from  cultures  of  the  

past  that  have  influenced  very  strongly  the  territory,  as  the  Roman  culture,  the  Phoenician  or  

the  Celtic11.  

It  is  clear  that  this  distinction  has  no  boundaries  well  defined:  there  are  games  where  you  can  

find  all   these  aspects,  games   that  can  be   traced  back   to   these  origins,  and   in   this  case  more  

than  in  the  other,  is  the  experience  of  a  single  person  may  have  influenced  the  transmission  of  

a  tradition.  

4.2. When  and  why?  Another  common  aspect  is  the  purpose  of  the  games:  in  many  cases,  the  ultimate  goal  was  to  

demonstrate  the  winner’s  physical  abilities,  such  as  strength  and  speed,  or  mental,  as  Canning.  

Each  one  a  key  to  win  the  game.  A  very   important  part  was  to  demonstrate  superiority  over  

other  participants.  So  today  we  can  also  say  that  the   important  thing   is  to  participate,  but   in  

the  past  it  was  often  essential  to  achieve  victory.  

Some  games  are   closely   linked   to   a   specific   period  of   the   year  or   special   holidays.  On  many  

occasions,   the  games  have  become  a   fundamental  part  of  both  pagan  and  religious   festivals,  

often  affected  by  the  pagan  Christian  doctrine  that  he  has  kept  the  external  aspects  to  ensure  

that  the  people  remain  tied  to  the  tradition.  

It   is   very   important   to   analyze   the   contexts   of   action   of   a   particular   game   or   sport   and   see  

what   the  occasion  was  held,  because  tied   to   it,  we  can  meet  a  whole   range  of  activities  and  

features  -­‐  for  example,  games  that  are  made  for  the  May  or  in  general  to  celebrate  the  spring,  

express  the  joy  of  man  for  the  rebirth  of  nature12.  

So  in  fact,  we  have  both  pagan  and  religious  festivals  for  the  traditions  for  the  May,  where  the  

tree  is  transformed  over  time  into  the  greasy  pole13,  and  traditions  connected  to  the  fire.  

In  the  latter  case,  we  see  that  the  fire  was  sacred  because  it  was  a  sign  of  purification  and  in  

many   festivals,   religious   or   not,   a   fire  was   lit.   The  main   ritual   tied  when   the   fier,   over   time  

become  a  game  of  skill,  was  to  jump  the  fire  and  is  extended  throughout  Europe,  as  a  sign  of  

                                                                                                                         11  Fabbi  Ansano,  Folklore  in  valnerina,  a  cura  di  Pierluigi  Valesini,  Edizioni  Era  Nuova,  1997  12  Fabbi  Ansano,  Folklore  in  valnerina,  a  cura  di  Pierluigi  Valesini,  Edizioni  Era  Nuova,  1997  13  For  all  the  traditions  about  the  trees  and  their  meanings  we  can’t  forgot  “Il  ramo  d’oro”  by  Frazer.  

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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strength,  capacity  and  sporty  with  a  strong  aspect  of  superstition  because  it  was  believed  that  

the  fire  could  deliver  us  from  evil14.  

Always  linked  to  parties  where  he  lit  the  fire,  in  Malignano  di  Cascia  the  children,  did  the  game  

of  "corsa  dei  bacarozzi"  (the  race  of  the  Cockroach),  they  captured  some  bugs  and  put  above  

them   small   candles.   Then,   teased   them   to  make   them   run   and  won  who   had   captured   the  

insect  that  had  covered  much  ground15.  

4.3. How  they  travelled  The   traditionals   games   and   sports   are   characters   very   important   in   a   sociological   and  

anthropological  study  of  a  society  as  it  reflects  the  overall  level,  material  and  spiritual  life  of  a  

given   environment.   How   is   it   then   that   in   regions   far   from   each   other   and   with   different  

characteristics  are  similar  games  and  sports?  

The  elements  of  which  take  into  account  in  a  research  analysis  of  this  type  are  many.  First  of  all  

we  can   see  how   it   is   impossible  not   to   take  account  of   the  achievements,  of  domination,  of  

migration,  which  allowed  a  development  very  large  and  a  travel  of   informations  that  allowed  

us   to   find  practiced,   for   example,   the   greek-­‐Roman   fight,   in   all   the   territories   of   the  Roman  

conquest.  Similarly,  going  back  even  further,  we  see  the  aforementioned  traditions  of  May  and  

the   tree   of   May   and   all   events   connected   to   them,   which   have   their   origin   in   the   culture  

Phoenician,  Greek  and  Celtic.  So  we  can  see  that  in  all  the  territories  where  there  werw  these  

cultures,   these   traditions   are   still   alive   today,  many   similar   to   each   other.   As   far   as   we   are  

concerned,  to  the  traditions  of  May,  are  linked  different  games,  each  one  full  of  meanings  and  

propitiation   for   the   summer  and   fertility16.  The   tradition   that   is   certainly   the  most   famous   is  

the  greasy  pole:  in  the  town  square  or  in  a  public  space  of  equal  importance,  it  rose  a  wooden  

pole,  the  top  of  which  was  placed  a  flag  or  a  handkerchief,  or  gifts.  The  boys  are  challenged  to  

climb   the   tree   to   get   the   gifts   on   top,  while   the   girls   danced  and   sang   at   the  base.   In   some  

countries  it  is  tradition  that  groups  of  girls  or  children  pass  between  the  houses  and  leave  the  

gift  of  a  branch  of  a  plant   in  bud,  to  wish  fertility  and  good   luck,  receiving   in  exchange  small  

gifts.   In   Lithuania   and   England   is   elected   the  most   beautiful   girl   in   the   town,  who   is   named  

"Queen  of  May"  and  is  the  symbol  of  the  festival.  In  some  countries,  such  as  France  and  Italy,  it  

was   customary   to   sing   and   dance   around   the   tree   intertwining   colored   threads   around   the  

structure.  

                                                                                                                         14  Fabbi  Ansano,  Folklore  in  valnerina,  a  cura  di  Pierluigi  Valesini,  Edizioni  Era  Nuova,  1997  15  Valesini  Pierluigi,  Mos  Maiorum,  Nuova  Eliografica,  2004  16  Fabbi  Ansano,  Folklore  in  valnerina,  a  cura  di  Pierluigi  Valesini,  Edizioni  Era  Nuova,  1997  

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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Some   of   these   traditions   are   still   alive   today   and   you   can   still   see   through   the   festivals,  

historical  reconstruction  or  performances  by  folk  music  groups.  

Another  of  the  important  aspects  to  be  taken  into  account  is,  for  example  in  the  case  of  games  

of  medieval  origin,  the  fact  that  the  courts,  in  many  cases,  they  were  traveling,  so  they  had  not  

a   fixed  place  and  moving   they  met  different   traditions   from  one  part   'other  of   the  kingdom,  

knowing  always  new  and  making  their  own.  Similarly,  the  nobles  were  moving,  visiting,  or  for  

other  reasons,  and  so  for  example  in  the  case  of  tournaments,  there  is  a  certain  uniformity  in  

Europe.  

As  we  have  already  said,  one  of  the  factors  to  look  at  in  terms  of  the  games  of  a  territory,  are  

the   conquests   and   invasions   that   have   been  made   in   that   place.   Similarly,   another   element  

that   has   certainly   influenced   much   the   expansion   of   the   cultural   characteristics   are   the  

migration.   For   example   in   the   areas   of   the   part   of   Dalmatia   under   the   rule   of   the  Duchy   of  

Venice,  we  can   find  games  of   clear  Venetian   influence.  Thus,   in   the   island  of  Hvar,   from   the  

sixteenth  century  are  of  great  popular  attraction  of   the  game  "kukanje"   the  greasy  pole,   the  

"borba  Sakama",  a  combat  punch,  which  was  banned  in  Venice  in  the  eighteenth  and  various  

games  with  the  ball,  including  some  with  the  rules  which  are  also  found  in  Italy17.  

A   final   aspect   that  we   can   analyze   it   as   the   similarity   of   the   traditions   can   be   linked   to   the  

similitude  of  the  territories,  both  from  a  geographical  point  of  view  that  from  a  social  point  of  

view  and  work.  This  means  that  the  material  used  daily  and  the  activities  will  be  more  or  less  

the   same   for   a   shepard   of   the   Canary   and   a   shepherd   on   the   other   side   of   Europe.   So   in  

communities  similar  between  them  can  be  found  in  turn  games  can  be  common.  

5. The  importance  of  nursery  rhymes    An  important  part  of  the  repertoire  in  question  is  that  of  children's  songs.  How  appearance  can  

not  be  said  to  play  effectively,  but  can  not  be  left  out  of  a  study  on  the  topic.  

With  children  songs  mean  all  the  heritage  that  exists  of  songs,  Count,  nursery  rhymes,  tongue  

twisters,   riddles,   rhymes   sleep  and  all   that   is   related   to   a   repertoire   that   is   not  moving,   but  

strictly  vocal.  

                                                                                                                         17  Bajic  Zarko,  Natasa,   I  giochi  di  società  più   in  voga  sull’isola  di  Hvar  nel  XVII  e  XVIII   secolo   in  AA.VV.,  Giochi,  tornei  e  sport,  AndreaLiviEditore,  2005  

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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A  deepening  of  the  themes  and  meanings  of  this  repertoire  can  be  done  through  the  essay  by  

Sandra  Mantovani,  "Lo  daremo  all’uomo  nero"18  (We  will  give  him  to  the  boogey  man)  as  well  

as  in  a  series  of  monographs  dedicated  to  the  games,  where  there  is  always  a  part  devoted  to  

this.    

Often  the  chants  have  a  precise  utility  as  used   in  count  and   lullabies,  while  other   times  they  

are  accompanied  by  hand  movements,  that  help  coordination.  

6. How  to  pass  them  The  games  and  traditional  sports,  as  well  as  music,  anchor  us  to  our  land,  make  us  feel  more  

closely   part   of   a   territory   and   rediscover   this   feeling   of   belonging   that,   especially   in   recent  

times,  escapes  us.  

In  practice  the  more  fun  activities  than  once,  allows  us  to  develop  our  imagination  and  joy  that  

our  children  are  losing    because  more  and  more  closed  in  the  house  in  front  of  a  television.  

Do  a  search  of  this  kind,  allows  us  not  only  to  find  out  that  there  are  differences  between  one  

country  and  another,  related  in  most  cases  to  the  particular  characteristics  of  the  territory,  but  

also  the  similarities  that  are  encountered.  All  this  is  to  realize  that  we  are  not  so  different,  we  

play   the   same   games   and   we   have   the   same   values.   For   example,   in   schools,   which   are  

increasingly  multicultural,  it  is  possible  to  develop  projects  with  the  children  to  rediscover  the  

traditions  of  the  countries  of  origin.  

The  real  aim  of  which  must  be  taken   into  account   is   to  make  known  the  games  and  popular  

aport  to  new  generations  and  to  get  them  back  to  doing.  Therefore  we  are  going  to  discover  a  

whole  series  of  very  important  values  related  to  popular  games.  But  how  we  do  that?  

The  first   important  thing  to  do   is   to  create  contact  networks  the  widest  possible,  at  national  

and   International   level,   including   the   local   institutions,   but   also   schools,   summer   camps,  

libraries,   archives,   tourist   centers   and   associations.   It   is   also   important   to   find   ways   of  

implementation   arrangements   of   spread   projects,   which   allow   to   reach   the   goal,   without  

devaluing  the  object  (the  games  in  this  case).  

One   of   the   risks   to   which   it   is   easier   to   fall   is   to   simplify   the   game   and   the   simple   sports  

competition,  while  behind  the  popular  ones  there  is  much  more.  First  of  all  there  is  the  history                                                                                                                            18  Mantovani  Sandra,  “Lo  daremo  all’uomo  nero”.  Il  repertorio  infantile  in  Guida  alla  musica  popolare  in  Italia,  2.  I  repertori,  a  cura  di  Roberto  Leydi,  Libreria  Musicale  Italiana,  Lucca,  2001  

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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of  the  game  that  can  be  more  or  less  ancient  and  then  the  story  of  all  the  experiences  of  the  

people  who  have  played.  Then  there  are  values  that  should  not  be  underestimated,  but  on  the  

contrary,  must  be  highlighted:  teamwork,  trust  towards  his  companion,  the  ability  to  surrender  

to  the  game,  the  complicity  with  classmates  etc.  Surely  the  greatest  difficulty   lies   in  trying  to  

involve  the  younger  generations  that  stay  more  and  more  hours   in  front  of  a  screen  and  less  

and   less   in   the   open   air,   to   play   and   do   sports,   so   we   have   to   find   a   formule   that   can   be  

attractive  for  the  digital  natives  .  In  addition  we  have  to  denote  the  fact  that  the  costs  of  the  

games  and   the  popular   sports,   and  everything   that   is   connected   to   them,  may  be  especially  

low   in   comparison   with   other   "modern"   sports   and   see   the   diffucult   economic   situation  

present  throughout  Europe  there  seems  a  very  important  that  can  be  exploited.      

6.1. Projects  in  schools  In  order  to  promote  the  popular  games,  one  of  the  action  to  take  is  to  disseminate  and  reteach  

them  in  schools.  Submit  a  project  in  a  school  allows  us  to  work  in  a  controlled  manner  with  a  

large   number   of   children   and   young   people   and   to   study   the   popular   games   in   different  

aspects  and  points  of   view.  Certainly   can  be   taken   into  account   the   fact   that  working   in   the  

schools   of   small   towns,   will   be   in   any   case   easier   than   working   in   city   schools,   for   greater  

collaboration  of  teachers  and  local  authorities  in  such  projects  and  for  increased  sensitivity  and  

attention  they  have  on  this  issue  of  the  preservation  of  popular  culture.  

Another  thing  you  can  do  is  not  to  be  limited  to  schools  to  work  with  children,  but  you  can  also  

contact  several  universities  to  do  research  projects  and  also  for  the  creation  and  activation  of  

work  programs  with  children  (ex.  in  the  case  of  the  Faculty  of  Education  Science).  

A   practical   example:   February   26   of   this   year   was   presented   in   Perugia   a   book   on  

contemporary  popular  music  in  Umbria,  one  that  has  been  rediscovered  and  sung  today.  The  

book  was  created  and  promoted  by  the  University  for  Foreigners  of  Perugia.  While  maybe  not  

leaning   to   the   same   institution,   you   can   do   something   similar,   rediscovering   the   current  

protagonists   of   past   games,   or   doing   different   jobs   according   to   the   territory   or   to   the  

historical  period.  

6.2. Projects  in  collaboration  with  other  institutions Folk  music  groups,   folk  dance  group,   sporting  or  cultural  association.  Each  of   them  might  be  

interested  in  projects  that  deal  with  popular  games,  entering  into  activities  of  biggest  breath,  

or  creating  initiatives  starting  from  this  theme.  

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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Watch  the  games  from  a  historical  point  of  view,  or  from  a  cultural  one  or  a  point  of  view  more  

practical,   open   to  many  possibilities   and   interpretations   for   the   creation  of   these   initiatives,  

perhaps   involving  not  only   the  age  group  of   children,  but  also   that  ones  of   adults   and  older  

people.  

Some  examples:    

• To   engage   and   connect   the   three   age   groups   (from   grandfather   telling   their  

experiences,   the   child   who   listens)   perhaps   with   the   help   of   a   nursing   home   or   a  

community  center  for  the  elderly;  

• Study  days  and  /  or  conferences  on  a  specific  topic;  

• Enter   the   information   about   the   games   in   the   studies   of   everyday   life   of   a   specific  

historical  period,  or  in  pageants;  

• Activation  of  competitions  of  popular  games;  

• Collaborations  with  sports  clubs  to  practice  games.  

Anyway  we  believe  is  winning  open  to  other  institutions  and  associations,  trying  to  involve  as  

many  people  as  possible  in  every  project  carried  out,  also  to  have  a  voice  comparison.    

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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7. Conclusion As  we  have  seen  the  rapid  analysis  presented,  bring  to  light  this  issue  and  to  rediscover  these  

activities  is  very  important  from  several  points  of  view.  

As  for  social  development,  we  must  remember  that  the  game  is  "a  get-­‐together,  of  liberation,  

of   expression."   Through   it   the   child   "grows,   learns,   knows   and   compares   with   the   others  

having  fun"19.  From  a  historical  point  of  view  then,  the  importance  of  activities  that  have  been  

handed  down  for  so  long  and  who  have  survived  so  many  social  changes,  are  to  be  analyzed  in  

depth  and  to  be  valued.  

To  date,  the  popular  culture  is  experiencing  a  period  of  crisis;  you  tend  to  lose  dimenicare  and  

folk   traditions,  abandoning   them  because  considered  antique  and  obsolete   in  comparison  of  

new   technologies   and  what  we   allow.  We  must   therefore   find   formulas   for   inclusion   of   the  

games  within  the  social  reality  that  allow  a  modern  fruition  accessible  to  all  generations.  

As  mentioned  several  times  previously  many  games  are  common  to  all  of  Europe  and  then  to  

know   them   and   let   them   discover   that   it   can   not   unite   the   various   countries   of   the   Union  

because  it  is  our  common  heritage,  and  we  must  become  aware  of  it.  The  games  and  popular  

sports  are  a  precious  heritage  that  must  not  be  forgotten,  but  rather  must  be  preserved  and  

carried   forward   to   not   forget   that   everything   that   differentiates   us   is   nothing   compared   to  

what  unites  us.      

 

 

     

 

 

     

                                                                                                                         19  AA.VV.,  Dire,  fare  e  giocare.  Enciclopedia,  Demetra,  2000  

“Morra”  players      

 “Ruzzola”  players  in  70’s    

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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Sources  index  We   tried   to   get   as   much   material   as   possible   to   try   to   be   as   specific   as   possible   in   the  

investigation  and  knowledge  of   the   topic.  To  do  that  we  have  done  research   in  archives  and  

libraries   studying   the   available   literature   on   the   subject   and   also   finding   of   documentary  

material.  We  consulted:  the  State  Archive  of  Terni,  the  fund  of  Archive  of  the  province  and  the  

fund  of  the  Historical  Archives  of  the  city  of  Terni  IV  deposit;  the  municipal  library  of  Terni;  the  

National  Central  Library  of  Rome;  the  Library  of  Granada.  We  then  did  research  online,  through  

sites   of   sectoral   association   and   helping   with   Wikipedia   as   reguarda   the   translation   of   the  

names  of  the  games.  The  following  is  a  list  of  materials  in  print  and  online  consultation.  

Bibliography  La  Sorsa,  S.,  Come  giuocano  i  fanciulli  d’Italia,  Studio  editoriale  insurbia,  1979  

Giochiamo  a…,  a  cura  di  Ambra  Danielli  e  Osvaldo  Panfili,  ed.  Thyrus,  Terni,  1982  

AAVV,   La   società   in   costume.   Giostre   e   tornei   nell’Italia   di   Antico   Regime,   Edizioni  dell’Arquata,  1986  

Le  tradizioni  popolari  in  Italia.  La  festa,  a  cura  di  Alessandro  Falazzi,  Electa,  1988  

David  Elisabetta,  Massoli  Cesare,  Feste,  giochi  e  tornei,  in  Terni,  a  cura  di  Michele  Giorgini,  Elio  Sellino  Editore,  1993  

Gorini  Pietro,  Giochi  e  feste  tradizionali  di  Francia  e  d’Europa,  1994  

Jeux  et  fêtes  traditionnels  de  France  et  d'Europe  /  Pietro  Gorini.  -­‐  Roma  :  Gremese,  c1994.    

Abbi  Ansano,  Folklore  in  valnerina,  a  cura  di  Pierluigi  Valesini,  Edizioni  Era  Nuova,  1997  

AA.VV.,  Dire,  fare  e  giocare.  Enciclopedia,  Demetra,  2000  

Mantovani  Sandra,  “Lo  daremo  all’uomo  nero”.  Il  repertorio  infantile   in  Guida  alla  musica  popolare   in   Italia,  2.   I  repertori,  a  cura  di  Roberto  Leydi,  Libreria  Musicale  Italiana,  Lucca,  2001  

AAVV,  La  giostra  dell’arme  30  anni  di  storia,  Tipolitografia  Visconti,  2003  

Valesini  Pierluigi,  Mos  Maiorum,  Nuova  Eliografica,  2004  

AAAVV,  Giochi,  tornei  e  sport  dal  medioevo  all’età  contemporanea,  AndreaLiviEditori,  2005  

Medieval  Games  and  Recreation  compiled  by  Tammy  Pattie,  2011    

http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001403/140342s.pdf  

Web  sites  reference  www.figest.it  http://www.a-e-s-c.info/Clube_Europeu/les_jeux_traditionels_portugais.pdf  http://www.jugaje.com/ http://www.jugaje.com/fr/source_popups/charte_unesco.pdf http://www.jugaje.com/fr/textes/Tradition%20et%20Modernite%20dans%20les%20jeux.pdf

TRADITIONAL  SPORTS  AND  GAMES  IN  AN  EUROPEAN  SCENARIO                      MARTA  D’ATRI,  ALBERTO  RAMOS  ALONSO  

 

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http://www.jugaje.com/fr/textes/Texte%20Jaouen%20-%20Aranda%20-%20fr.pdf http://www.jugaje.com/fr/textes/Jeux%20et%20destins%20culturels%20-%20Parlebas%20fr.pdf https://books.google.it/books?id=n0q6vTX6SOcC&pg=PA7&lpg=PA7&dq=jeux+populaires+traditionnels&source=bl&ots=tlOg9u-ksO&sig=0mu_Uqj3q8WdxDV8Fegq394J_QU&hl=it&sa=X&ei=ae7wVImoKMfmywP3woHYCQ&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAjgK#v=onepage&q&f=false  http://listas.20minutos.es/lista/juegos-populares-y-tradicionales-de-toda-la-vida-348249/  http://listas.20minutos.es/lista/juegos-­‐populares-­‐y-­‐tradicionales-­‐de-­‐toda-­‐la-­‐vida-­‐348249/  http://www.memoria.fahce.unlp.edu.ar/trab_eventos/ev.1415/ev.1415.pdf  http://www.albeos.org/IMG/pdf/CUADERNO_JUEGOS_TRADICIONALES-­‐4.pdf  http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/audios/esto-­‐me-­‐suena-­‐las-­‐tardes-­‐del-­‐ciudadano-­‐garcia/esto-­‐suena-­‐tardes-­‐del-­‐ciudadano-­‐garcia-­‐primera-­‐hora-­‐20-­‐03-­‐15/3055302/  http://www.jugaje.com/es/textes/Tradicion%20y%20Modernidad.pdf  http://www.associazionegiochiantichi.it/Giochi-­‐tradizionali/  http://www.prolocoplatania.it/antichi-­‐giochi-­‐popolari  http://www.giochitradizionali.it/  http://www.jugaje.com/fr/textes.htm  http://www.deportestradicionales.es/    

 


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