Kameshi Ne Mpuku
Multicultural Games

State the name of your game and why you chose it.

Julia: We chose Kameshi Ne Mpuku because it has a cute and cool name. 

Leigh:  We chose this game because it involves running, is fairly easy to learn, and the name implies that not many people would choose it because it sounds so unusual.

List the countries where it is played and its origin.

Kameshi Ne Mpuku has been attributed to the Luba tribe in the Congo, but many tribes in Africa play different versions of it.

Describe how your game is played. State the object of the game. Clearly describe the rules.

• There are four rows of people holding hands and standing parallel to each other. 
• Players are chosen to be  the "rat" and  the "cat."
• The cat's job is to chase the rat and catch it by tagging it. 
• The rat must run and dodge up and down the rows trying to avoid the cat.
• The "caller" will call out "mpuke ekali!" which means "let the rat stop."  At this call the people holding hands will turn and join hands with the row which was beside them, switching directions vertically to horizontally. 
• At this turn in the rows the rat must still be able to adjust quickly and escape the cat.

List the equipment needed.

• No materials, just people

Make recommendations for what type of athlete would enjoy playing this game. What skills does it demand?

Julia:  An athlete who is quick, deft, and agile would be good at this game.   They also should have a good sense of strategy so that they can figure where the best site of placement would be so they wouldn't get caught when the rows change.   You can play it indoors or outdoors, as long as there is enough room so that people can spread out. Many games in America have been modeled after Kemeshi Ne Mpuku, such as Cat and Dog.

What are your feelings about this game? Did you enjoy playing it? Would you recommend it?

Leigh:  I though this game looked really funny to watch.

 

Multicultural Games Unit   | Games Index |  Middle School  |  GAnet

Germantown Academy
P.O. Box 278
Ft. Washington, PA 19034
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