ESL Blogs

During the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival season, people are participating so many traditional activities and games. The sounds of crackers, nila, swinging, beating the tambourine,(Rabana) and many things. Like all the age-old rituals connected with these games and activities make joyous laughter and more pleasure for one and all. People organising lots of New Year celebrations (Avurudu Uthsava)) held by various municipalities, villages, hotels, schools, and groups throughout during this period.

Seashells game - This is a popular game, especially among ladies, called as “Pancha” is played with five small seashells and a coconut shell, and a chart. Players are divided into two groups.

Blindfolded person hit the pot - This is also a festive game and mainly seen in New Year festivals. There are few pots hanging on a rob. In one pot has special something like flowers, colouring water etc. while the participants are blindfolded and have to choose the pot which contains a specific item. The winner is the person who hits the correct pot.Putting the eye to the elephant - This game also most enjoyable experience where participants are blindfolded and have to spot the elephant’s eye. This is a very interesting activity among little ones. They like to put the eye on the image of an elephant. Most of them are putting it on the tail or stomach. But at least a one person will be able to put the eye at the correct place. 

Other blindfolded games are Pin the tail on the donkey and feeding yoghurt to a partner while blindfolded.

 Climbing the grease pole - A very long timber pole about 10 meters high, is fixed into the ground. At the top of the pole, money is placed or sometimes has a flag.The pole has been rubbed with thick slimy grease along its whole length. he first person to climb to the top claims the money. However, repeated attempts are made with some of the grease being removed on each attempt until finally, when all the grease has been removed, the last person can climb to the top and claim the money.

 Pillow fights - Generally, anyone is very interesting to the pillow fights in the bedroom. But this event difficult and vary than the bedroom pillow fights. In this event. Players have to balance themselves on a horizontal bar with one hand tied behind their backs as they use the other hand to try and knock their opponent off the bar with a pillow. Usually, the bar is placed above some mattresses or in some cases even over the water.Coconut-scraping contest - This is a ‘coconut-scraping’ contest where women sit in little benches that have a coconut scraper attached to its end. Get ready, set, go…and the race to finish scraping begins!

Another coconut related competition is ‘coconut weaving’, where each participant is given a coconut branch and has to weave the leaves as quickly as possible.

Eating Buns - Another fun competition to watch and take part in is the bun eating contest. Buns are hung by string and participants have to run about 25 meters to the place and kneel down with their hands tied behind their backs while trying to eat them as quickly as they can.

 Tug of War – Among so many New Year games, Tug of war is one of a most popular game. Can be enjoyed both adults and children alike!

(Thanks, Google for the pictures)