National Migration Week 2008
January 6-12, 2008
Objective: This is a rhythm game where the players seek to duplicate increasingly complex sets of drum strokes.
Equipment: Each player needs their own set of lumi sticks - 2 12 inch pieces of ½ dowel rod. Before beginning play, each child should decorate their lumi sticks using Native American motifs.
Number of Players: Two or more.
Rules: The players sit facing each other, or in a circle. One player is chosen as the first leader.
The leader drums a sequence of 8 strokes on the ground in front of her with her lumi sticks. The sequence may vary left and right strokes, soft or hard, slow or fast, or any other change in cadence. The rest of the members of the group then repeat the sequence.
Then the person sitting to the left of the first leader becomes the leader. They repeat the first sequence, and then add on their own sequence of 8 strokes. The players again repeat.
Play continues moving to the left and adding on an additional 8 stroke sequence until either the group cannot repeat what has been played or the leader makes a mistake repeating the previous sequence.
If the leader or the group makes a mistake repeating the previous drum sequences, play begins again, with a set of eight strokes. The goal is to try to make the way around the circle so that at the drumming sequence keeps growing.
Objective: To capture the other rooster's tail-feather (bandana).
Equipment: Chalk or a stick to draw a circle about 8 feet in diameter on the ground, and 1 bandana for each child.
Number of Players: 2 or more.
Rules: Each player tuck a bandanna in the back waist of his or her pants or shorts. This is their "tail-feather".
To play, two contestants hop into the circle and try to grab the bandanna hanging from each other's belt. The trick is, they must not put down their other foot, and they must keep their left arms folded at their sides like wings, grabbing only with their right hands. The winner of the round is the one who grabs the other's bandana first.
Any player who sets down his foot or grabs with his left hand is out, and a new opponent enters the ring.
If you divide into teams, pair up the kids and let them compete one pair at a time; to determine the winner, add up all the bandannas won by each team. Alternatively, play round-robin style, with each winner taking on new players until he gets eliminated.