Design Resource
Indian Games
Culture of Play
by
Pacheta
Introduction:
Pacheta (5 stone game) is a popular game among girls and women aged 6 and above. Children are seen playing this game in a small groups of 2 to 4 players. This game requires five stones/pebbles which are sometimes painted by players. In Rajasthan, these stones are made of lac in bright colors. Pacheta goes by many different names and the rules vary to suit the age levels.
How to Play:
The game of Pacheta involves throwing stones up in the air and catching them. It is played in various levels which are sequential and predetermined by the players to suit the age levels. The steps consist of tossing up one stone at a time, and picking up one or more from the ground while the tossed stone is in the air. The advanced version consists in tossing up two stones, then three and so on, and catching them on the back of the hand. The player has to forfeit their turn to the next player in case they have missed catching the stones. This player continues to play the game in his turn in the level discontinued. The winner of the game is the first one that finishes all the levels of the game.
Conclusion:
This is a great game to develop fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination in children. Balancing skills are also developed. The younger children also learn counting in this process.
