> Figure 1.--This photo was taken in Casalgrande, about 30 miles West of Bolonia. It shows a group of children playing soldier on a farm estate with the owners grand home in the background. The flag looks more French thaan Roman. We assume that the boy at the head of the group on the left side, with shoes, and wearing rompers, is the son of the owner and the children of farm worker families. We don't know when the photo was taken. It looks like the early-20th century, pronably just after World War I. There is political note here. The lead boy is carrying the republican flag (without the coat of arms of the Savoia family). Since 19th century, Bolonia and surrounding areas had a strong republican tradition.

The most common form of outdoor/active games became sports, but this was not the case in the 19th century. And younger children did not have the skills needed for sports and girls did not have the same interest in sports. In any case we will deals with sports separately. We note a range of other active outdoor games. Many if these games had less formal rules and did not require the same level of skills as sports. making them idea for children's games. Most are played in other ciuntrues as well or similar ri games played in other countries. There are all kinds of active outdoor games. Some were played all overEurope. Some have small differences and some are uniquely Italian.

Tag

Surely the most popular outdoor/active game is tag. Childen of all ages above the todler age could play and it was enjoyed by both boys and girls. An Italian take on tag is Lupo Delle Ore. We suspect that all the lupo (wolf) games have Roman origins.One person becomes the wolf--the it of standard tag. The wolf their back and all the other others stand in a arc line. They ask the wolf what the time is. The wolf responds by shouting out a number. The other players then take that number of steps towards the wolf. At a time of the wolf's choosing, he shout out that he is hungry and chases the others to tag one. The player tagged then becomes the wolf. There are many variants like Lupo mangiafrutta (The fruit-eating wolf). This is sort of like Go Fish without the cards. Strega Ghiaccio (Ice Witch) is a tag came where the witch (it) feeze tags the other children. Piovra (Octopus) is a particularly popular game. It is another tag game with a different twist, less running than most tag games. Players tagged become baby octopuses, but have to stand still, they can only tag players who come near. Strega Comanda Color (the witch commands the color) is another tag game. This time the it is a witch who begins the game by shouting out a color. The other players have to run and touch something that is that color. If nobody is caught before they reach something of that color. If someone is tagged becomes the new witch. Most tag games have to be played outdoors, although some like mosca cieca (blind man's buff) can also be played indoors. In fact it was a popular adult parlor game for some time. This is a perenial favorite and played in many differernt countries, albeit with different names. It is believed to have had Greek and Roman origins.

War

Another popular game was war games under different names. Like play war and cowboys and Indians in America. This was essentially outdoor role playing with small groups, almost always boys. Some sound very familar with different names. We note Guardie e Lardi (Cops and Robbers). It sounds rather like the field game Capture the Flag, not like the informal Cops and Robbers we used to play in America.

Nascondino (hide-and-seek)

Nascondino (hide-and-seek) may be one of the most widely played games. All you need is two players, but a larger number makevfor more fun. Here the it counts for a short period to give the others time to hide. Then the hunting begins. Each time a player is found, the seeker yells, "Tana per [name]". The games usually goes on until every hidden player is found. But is one of he hiding players manages to run to the beginning and yells "Tana libera tutti!". This saves all the hiding players. And another round is played.

Cacio al Fuso

Cacio al Fuso is a bowls game and played by adults as well as children. Some kind of stick is erected in the game area. Balls are rolled toward the stick. This game developed in northern Italy. It was originally played by adults with cheese wheels rolled toward the stick.

Compara

Campara was the Italian version of hopscotch. It is believed to have had Roman origins. There are various versions, but are all based on jumping between the lines of a grid drawn on the ground.

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Created: 9:06 AM 6/16/2019
Last updated: 4:40 PM 3/29/2024