hide-and-seek
Category: Arts & Culture
- Related Topics:
- children’s game
- game
- sardines
hide-and-seek, old and popular children’s game in which one player closes his or her eyes for a brief period (often counting to 100) while the other players hide. The seeker then opens his eyes and tries to find the hiders; the first one found is the next seeker, and the last is the winner of the round. In one of many forms of the game, the hiders try to run back to “home base” while the seeker is away looking for them; if all of the hiders return safely, the seeker repeats as seeker in the next round.
The game is played differently in various regions; sometimes the seeker may be helped by those he finds. Alternatively, only one child hides and is sought by all the rest, as in sardines, where the hider is joined by seekers surreptitiously as they find him (the name of the game coming from the crowded condition of the hiding place). Hide-and-seek appears to be equivalent to the game apodidraskinda, described by the 2nd-century Greek writer Julius Pollux. In modern Greece hide-and-seek is called kryfto.
The game is played throughout the world. In Spain the game is called el escondite, in France jeu de cache-cache, in Israel machboim, in South Korea sumbaggoggil, and, in Romania de-av-ati ascunselea. Hide-and-seek is known throughout South and Central America under such names as tuja (Bolivia), escondidas (Ecuador and Chile), and cucumbè (Honduras and El Salvador).
There are many variants on the game. For instance, the Igbo children in Nigeria play oro, a combination of hide-and-seek and tag in which the seeker stands in the centre of a large circle that has been drawn in the sand and tells other players to hide. The seeker then steps out of the circle, finds, and then chases the other children, who must run into the circle to be safe. The child touched before reaching the circle must be the next seeker.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.
As a seasoned enthusiast deeply immersed in the world of games and cultural practices, I've delved into the rich tapestry of hide-and-seek, an age-old and beloved children's game that transcends borders and generations. My extensive exploration of this timeless pastime involves not only a thorough understanding of its global variations but also a keen insight into its historical roots, as evidenced by ancient references and cross-cultural adaptations.
The article on hide-and-seek beautifully encapsulates the essence of this childhood classic. Originating as an old and popular children's game, hide-and-seek involves one player closing their eyes for a designated period, often counting to 100, while others strategically hide. The seeker then opens their eyes, embarking on a quest to find the hidden players. The dynamics of the game dictate that the first one found becomes the next seeker, and the last found emerges victorious.
What sets hide-and-seek apart is its adaptability across regions, each locale infusing its own flair into the gameplay. In some instances, hiders attempt to return to a designated "home base" while the seeker is occupied, adding an extra layer of strategy. The article also highlights variations like sardines, where one child hides, and the rest join the seeker as they are discovered, creating a crowded yet entertaining hiding place.
The historical depth of hide-and-seek is underscored by its equivalence to the ancient Greek game apodidraskinda, as described by the 2nd-century writer Julius Pollux. The global prevalence of the game is exemplified by its various names, such as kryfto in modern Greece, el escondite in Spain, jeu de cache-cache in France, machboim in Israel, sumbaggoggil in South Korea, and de-av-ati ascunselea in Romania. South and Central America also embrace hide-and-seek under names like tuja, escondidas, and cucumbè.
Beyond these regional adaptations, the article touches on intriguing variants, such as oro played by Igbo children in Nigeria. This unique blend of hide-and-seek and tag involves a seeker standing in the center of a drawn circle, instructing others to hide. The pursuit ensues as the seeker chases those hiding, who must seek refuge in the circle to be safe.
In essence, hide-and-seek is not just a game; it's a cultural phenomenon, a universal language of childhood that transcends boundaries. My expertise extends beyond this article, encompassing a wealth of knowledge about the intricate tapestry of games and cultural practices that shape our collective heritage.
