Coconut Games - Jeux de coco


Many games are inspired by the coconut tree or use its products, and in particular its nuts. Sri Lankan housewives must scrape coconuts to prepare curries. Hence scraping coconuts is a traditional game during the New Year. One who is fast in scraping wins the game. Pora Pol gaseema or throwing coconuts at each other is another game played during the New Year days by young men in the village. Pora pol is also a special coconut variety with very thick shell that can also be used for carving. Throwing coconuts at each other can be compared to creating harmony among relatives and neighbours after throwing harboured ill-will or hatred out of the window. Maintaining peace and harmony is an objective of the peasantry. 




For illustrating this section, we can produce on request at least one large size HD poster (up to 180x100 cm in size). This poster will be adapted to each country, on a case-by-case basis, in order to prominently feature local specificities.
©R. Bourdeix, 2021, section CFE.

A coconut shy is a traditional game frequently found at funfairs and fêtes. The game consists of throwing wooden balls at a row of coconuts balanced on posts. Early references to this game appear in the late 1800s, with coconuts being seen as an exotic prize in the late 19th century and into the 20th century.



Coconut shy equipement
is still sold on Ebaywebsite

Now, there are even online versions of the coconut shy game!

In India, the ancient game of coconut snatching was used for military selection; Clash of the Coconuts is a fun Indian Wedding Game. After the bride and groom are officially married, the couple have to be seated facing each other with a 10 feet distance between them. The coconuts are then brought in. The goal of this Punjabi wedding game is for the bride and groom to roll their respective coconuts towards each other and aim them to collide midway.


In Thailand, the Dern Kala game utilizes a traditional toy that is made from a pair of coconut shells or husk. The aim of the game is for players to compete to see who can move fastest while standing on it.




.


Children of countries of Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia often take advantage of dry coconut leaf for the games. Meanwhile, a player sit on a leaf base, the rest hold mid rib and then pull away. Just so, which team finishes first and not to fall from the leaf base, they win.


In Polynesia, a large number of competitions and games are linked to the coconut tree: throwing an assegai on coconuts, speed of stripping coconuts, speed to climb a coconut tree...

Coconut shy game in England,
more than one century ago!