Traditional Games Sessions
Organized by Denis Dabaev (University of Northern Iowa) and Sardaana Barabanova (Children of the Sun Studio / Күн оҕолоро), the Traditional Games Sessions at the Indigenous Pavilion highlighted games as vessels of cultural memory.
Games play an important role in all cultures, but especially among Indigenous peoples, where knowledge, values, and traditions are transmitted orally and through shared practice. Many Indigenous games have deep historical roots that reflect the way of life, environment, and worldview of ancestors. They serve as a link between generations, preserving and developing elements of traditional culture while fostering continuity and community.
During this event, participants learned about Buryat-Mongolian and Sakha traditional games. One of the featured activities was Shagai Naadan, a traditional dice game and one of the most ancient pastimes of the Buryat people. The game symbolizes friendship, growth, and fertility, and uses dice representing five types of livestock important to Buryat and Mongolian cultures: temeen (camel), khonin (sheep), ükher (cow), morin (horse), and yamaan (goat). Through Shagai Naadan, participants not only celebrate the animals central to nomadic life but also develop dexterity and appreciation for cultural heritage.
Khabylyk, an ancient game of the Sakha people from Northeast Siberia, was traditionally played with sticks once used for lighting the komuluok, a traditional wood stove. To play, around thirty sticks are tossed into the air one by one, and the objective is to catch as many as possible within two minutes.
While khabylyk may appear to be a simple pastime, it embodies a deep cultural philosophy. The game cultivates essential physical and mental skills—quick reflexes, strong hands, sharp eyesight, and focused attention. For children, khabylyk has long served as preparation for adult life, teaching the coordination, precision, and endurance required for hunting, fishing, and herding in the harsh northern environment.
Playing shagai and khabylyk helps individuals develop essential skills such as quick reflexes, strong hands, keen eyesight, and focused attention. For children, these games are a vital part of their upbringing, serving as preparation for adult life and teaching coordination, endurance, and adaptability to the natural environment.
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About Sardaana Barabanova: https://artdoc.media/en/author/30797