Kith-Kith

Kith-Kith or Hopscotch or Stapu in a children’s game. Every child in India has played this game. It is also known as Ekhat-Dukhat. This game requires physical agility and nimbness. It does not require too much place. It can be played in streets, indoor or outdoor.Kith-kith is played almost in all the states of India. In Tamil Nadu it is called Paandi, Kunte Bille in Karnataka, Tokkudu Billa in Andhra Pradesh and Telengana and Khane in Kashmir.

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Kith-Kith

Generally a chalk or a small brick piece is used to draw blocks on the ground. It contains 8 blocks.Each player uses a marker such as a bottle cap, shell, stone or button. A player has to stand behind the starting line and toss his marker in the first block. He has to hop over the first block to the second one and then continue hopping to the eighth block, turn around, hop back to the second block, pause and pickup the marker, hop in the first block and set out. Then he has to toss the marker in the second block. This goes on until the player reaches the eighth block and completes the lap successfully. In this game, all hopping is done on one foot, unless there are two lateral blocks, where the player can land his both feet.

 

There are many games for children, but kith kith is simplest one yet very tricky. It needs good balance and precision. A player is out if the marker does not land in the right block, touches the line or the player loses balance and touches the line accidentally. There are many other local rules and variations that govern the dynamics of the game which add to the fun and difficulty level.
In India, this game is mostly played by girls, but boys also play this game.

Kith kith is not only played in India. It has global reach. It is lanlan in Persian, Escargot (snail) or Marelle Ronde in French, Bebeleche in Mexico, Himmel and Holle in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.