Does anyone know of any Greek games?

Question

I am entering a geography fair and I am doing Greece. I'd like to know if anyone knows of a Greek game that I can make using stuff I have at home. Also, if you can think of anything else I can use for my display, please tell me!! :)
Thanks!!

Answer 1

I'd definitely go with backgammon. It might not be truly "Greek," but it's the most commonly played game in the country... we even found a bar in Athens that advertised live rock 'n' roll and backgammon.

Answer 2

Actually there are plenty but they are in disuse now. I was born in a village just about the TV era was starting so we had a lot of time to play games. I can list them but they'll mean nothing to you and indeed to most of Greeks younger than me. Here's a short list

Αλαμαντα ή Τζιμ
Κοκοράκια
Τζαμί
Μηλακια
Τσιλικι
Μακριά Γαϊδούρα
Ξεγελάσματα
Αλανάκι - Μπαζ
…..

All of them were played outside and some required a ball. Some of then were very violent (close to brutal).
Kids do not play them any more, I'm afraid. I guess neither would we if we had TV or Nitendo or Play station...

Answer 3

Any of the classic Olympic sports, the discus, javelin, shotput, which in antiquity was actually a stone, etc. There is also table game using some sheep bone I think, which you flip and depending on how it lands you win or lose or have your wish come true. I do not know its name and it might be regional.

Answer 4

Greek games???? erm, might i suggest the OLYMPIC games???

otherwise the men play a lot of backgammon whilst the women stay home and clean, and cook, and look after the children, and collect olives, and sweep the floor (greek women are obsessed with sweeping the floor!!)

some other traditional greek items you might include in your display can be greek mythology (you got 'troy' on dvd??) feta cheese, ouzo liqueur, olive oil, greek letters(found in many american univerity fraternities), greek yogurt, and just for laughs, show a toilet roll....you cant flush the toilet paper in greece you have to place it in the bin!!

Answer 5

Tavlí - which is to say backgammon.