Village Games: Magical Childhood of BD Children in Winter

Winter games of village children in Bangladesh. UNB_11zon

For the village children across Bangladesh, December was not just the end of the year; it was the start of an annual period of pure, unadulterated joy. The whole month became electric with a feeling of true holiday freedom, a feeling amplified by the weather itself. The air was thick with the winter fog (kuasha in Bangla) and an intense, joyful spirit of camaraderie. These were, quite simply, the golden days of childhood.

The minute December arrived, the village landscape underwent its annual transformation. A cool, beautiful mist began to cloak the mornings, setting a uniquely serene tone for the day. This chill was the first signal of winter, quickly bringing with it the irresistible smell of pithas (sweet rice cakes) a culinary cornerstone of Bengal and spreading a visible warmth of community through every home.

The Great Village Reunion

While the core group of children played together year-round enjoying classics like Cricket and Football December brought a massive expansion to their crew. As the first week of the month saw school exams conclude, the village became a hub for a grand reunion. Relatives, cousins, and friends who had gone away to towns and cities for their studies would return home, turning quiet lanes into bustling playgrounds.

Multiple children would converge at various homes, instantly doubling, even tripling, the number of playmates. This influx of fresh faces and high spirits intensified the festive atmosphere, making the simple fun of everyday games feel twice as exciting. The children lived for this time of year, eagerly soaking up the collective energy.

Some Popular Bangladeshi Winter Village Games

The long break meant days that stretched out forever, perfect for every game imaginable. Beyond the mainstream international sports, the children brought back traditional village games that needed a huge crowd to work properly.

While Cricket and Football completely took over the open fields, turning foggy mornings into chaotic, unforgettable matches, the real heart of the playtime was in the indigenous games. These included:

Satchara 

Satchara (seven tiles) a team game with an equal number of players on both sides, played with seven potsherds or flat stones. The stones are placed one on another. A member of one team (the seekers) throw a ball at a pile in an attempt to knock them over. The seekers try to restore the pile of stones while staying safe from the opposing team's (the hitters’) throws. The hitters' objective is to hit the seekers with the ball before they can reconstruct the stone pile. If the ball touches a seeker, that seeker is out and the team which the seeker came from continues, without the seeker. A seeker can always safeguard themselves by touching an opposite team member before the ball hits the seeker. - UNB