Traditional jumping, chasing and aiming games

1Gusimbuka urukiramende: the Rwandan high jump

Urukiramende is made of three sticks: two upright posts and one crossbar resting on top.

1. Each player takes a turn to jump over the crossbar.
2. If you knock the bar down, you are out of that round.
3. When everyone has jumped, the bar goes up a little higher.
4. The game goes on until only the best jumper is left.

Long ago, jumpers performed at big ceremonies. Visitors took photographs, and in 2021 scientists studied those old photos. They found that the best jumpers cleared a bar about 1.88 metres high. That is higher than the heads of most grown-ups!

At school: use a light stick or a rope that falls off the posts easily if you touch it. Start at knee height. Take off from one foot, swing your legs over, and land on your feet on soft sand or grass.

2Sebutimbiri: the feet-together jump

Lay up to six low bars in a row, about one big step apart. Sticks resting on stones work well. Jump over each bar with your feet together, one after another, without stopping. Touch a bar and you are out.

Long ago the bars were about 50 cm high. Start lower, at about 20 cm. This game builds strong legs, balance and rhythm.

3Gusimbuka umugozi: skipping

On your own: swing the rope over your head and jump when it comes under your feet. Count your skips without a mistake.

In a group: two friends turn a long rope. The others run in, jump, and run out again. Sing a counting song as you jump.

4Ubute and kwihishana: chasing and hiding

Ubute is a chasing game. One player has "ubute" and chases the others. When they touch someone, that player gets ubute and becomes the chaser. Safe rules: touch gently on the shoulder or back, never push or trip, and stay inside the playing area.

Kwihishana is hide and seek. The seeker closes their eyes at a wall and counts to 20 while the others hide. Hide only in safe places inside the school compound: never in a latrine, near a road or near water.

5Aiming games, the safe way

Long ago, young people practised aiming with bows and arrows. In kumasha they shot at a target, such as a banana trunk. In intembe they aimed at the hole in a banana-stem ring as it rolled along the ground.

At school we never use bows, arrows or spears. Try these safe versions instead:

• Target throw: stand behind a line and throw a small ball or a bean bag at a banana trunk or a tin. Score a point for each hit.
• Rolling ring: one friend rolls a hoop past the others. Throw a ball through the middle as it rolls by.

Everyone waits behind the throwing line. Nobody goes to fetch the balls until the leader says "Collect!"

Try it yourself

Think about each one first, then tap Show answer to check.