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Traditional games of Nepal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Nepal has many traditional games that are similar to other traditional South Asian games.[1] Many of these games were played during local cultural festivals,[2] but are now disappearing because of technological influence and globalisation.[3]
History
Dandi biyo and kabaddi, which were considered the unofficial national sports until recently, are still popular in rural areas. Despite efforts, standardisation and development of dandi biyo has not been achieved, while kabaddi, as a professional sport, is still in its infancy in Nepal. Bagh-chal, an ancient board game that is thought to have originated in Nepal, can be played on chalk-drawn boards, with pebbles, and is still popular today. Ludo, snakes and ladders and carrom are popular pastimes. Chess is also played. Volleyball was declared as the national sport of Nepal in 2017. Popular children's games include versions of tag, knucklebones, hopscotch, Duck, duck, goose and lagori, while marbles, top, hoop rolling and gully cricket are also popular among boys. Rubber bands, or ranger bands cut from tubes in bike tyres, make a multi-purpose sporting equipment for Nepali children, which may be bunched or chained together, and used to play dodgeball, cat's cradle, jianzi and a variety of skipping rope games.
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Traditional games
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Dandi biyo
Dandi biyo (Nepali: डन्डी बियो, pronounced [ˈɖʌɳɖi ˈbijo] ⓘ) is a game played in Nepal which was considered the de facto national game until 23 May 2017, when volleyball was declared as the national sport. Dandi biyo is played with a stick (dandi) about 2 feet (61 cm) long and a wooden pin (biyo) about 6 inches (15 cm) long. The pin is a small wooden stick with pointed ends. The game is similar to the Indian game gilli danda. The government has not implemented any policies for the preservation of dandi biyo, and with decreasing players[4] the game is expected to be extinct soon.[5]
Guccha
This game (also known as marbles) involves participants flicking marbles with their fingers in the hopes of pushing opponents' marbles outside of the playing area.[6][7]
Bhurung
In Nepal, the spinning top is known as a bhurung or lattu.[10][6]
Dhyakki
Dhyakki (or piya) is a form of hopscotch in which players must move a rock across the playing area as they hop through it.[7]
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Ball games
Chungi
Chungi (Nepali: चुङ्गि) is a traditional game played by children in Nepal and northeastern India.[11][12] The setup of the game is similar to hacky sack.[13] It is played with a ball made by tying a group of rubber bands in the middle.[14]
Seven stones
Seven stones (also known by various other names) is a traditional game from the Indian subcontinent involving a ball and a pile of flat stones, generally played between two teams in a large outdoor area.
Though this game goes by other names in neighboring countries, it is primarily known in Nepal as seven stones.[15]
Variations of tag
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Kabaddi
Kabaddi (also known locally as kapardi)[19] has been declining in Nepal in recent decades.[20]
Kho kho
The Nepal Kho Kho Association was established the late 1990s, and the sport is contested at the country's National Games. Nepal finished as runner-ups in the inaugural 2025 Kho Kho World Cup.[24]
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Board games
Bagh-chal
Bagh-chal (Nepali: ⓘ bāgh cāl, Newar: धुँ कासा dhun kasa meaning "tiger game")[25] is a strategic, two-player board game that originated in Nepal. The game is asymmetric in that one player controls four tigers and the other player controls up to twenty goats. The tigers 'hunt' the goats while the goats attempt to block the tigers' movements. This game is also seen in southern India with a different board, but the rules are the same. This game is popular in rural areas of the country.[26]
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Animal events
Bull Fighting
Elephant polo
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Notes
References
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