Indigenous games of Africa: a call for urgent intervention
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Date
2010
Authors
Nteere, J. S.
Wanderi, P. M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Since 1980s, a lot of literature on indigenous games of Africa has been written and numerous presentations and discussions on the same
topic have been witnessed at major conferences. Of notable significance were the discussions and declarations made by UNESCOin 1999 at
the Third International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials Responsible for Physical Education and Sports (MINEPS III) held in Punta
del Este,Uruguay, where very favorable recommendations were made. These recommendations included amongst others, a request to the
member states to the UNESCOto, one, organize and support traditional games and sports; and two, facilitate participation by their
countries in World Festival of Traditional Sports. With a view to facilitating this, an Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education
and Sports (CIGEPS)was formed and expected to seek global support from regional and national bodies aswell as from Non-Governmental
Organizations. CIGEPSwas also mandated to contact relevant institutions in order to prepare a worldwide list of indigenous games and
sports, draw up "a world traditional games policy and lead the world to an international charter on traditional games and sports". Ever
since, similar calls have repeatedly been made every four years on UNESCO's organized MINEPS fora in line with this declaration.
Unfortunately, it has all been more of a wishful thought. As time goes by, African indigenous games stand the danger of being lost as they
continue receding with time. This paper presents a background of the indigenous games of Africa in terms of their significance as a cultural
heritage. The paper further outlines the possible measures that should be undertaken urgently to institutionalize and formalize the
indigenous games of Africa before they are lost forever. Procrastination in their formalization will cost the African continent a significant
means to its cultural identity which if lost will never be recovered; thus calling for a fast action.
Description
A paper presented at the 17th Biennal conference of the International society for Comparative Physical Education and Sport (ISCPES), 6th - 8th June, 2010, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Keywords
Indigenous games/sports, Cultural identity, Cultural heritage, Formalization of indigenous games