The importance of indigenous games: The selected cases of Indigenous games in South Africa

Abstract

Indigenous games in South Africa risk extinction. The threat is created by the fact that old people in South  Africa do not have enough time to transfer their skills and knowledge of indigenous games to the younger generation. The focus of this article is on identifying some of the problem areas regarding indigenous games. An attempt has been made to identify some of the indigenous games played in Southern Africa with the view of showing how they were played. Perspectives from various people in southern Africa have been explored with the view of showing the importance of playing indigenous as well as problem areas. In the final analysis some solutions to the problem are being suggested as well as recommendations. The article concludes by providing an overview of the discussion and how the games may be salvaged from the ravages of time’s inexorable  march.

Keywords: Art, culture, heritage, indigenous games, play and sport.