TRADITIONAL GAMES
HULA-HOOP
A classic outdoor game with three or four persons standing inside large hoops that they hold up at waist level without using their hands. Then they wiggle the hoop up their bodies up to the neck and down their ankles again and again.
ZING (MARBLES)
A smooth surface – preferably dirt, a group of people and of course a few pockets full of marbles. That is all you need for a game! To play marbles the Saint Lucian way, the marbles are placed in a triangular formation within a ring drawn in the dirt. Eager boys would line up to take their turn at aiming for that from the outside of the ring. To make it simpler, players would place their marbles randomly and try to hit their opponent’s in turn. Distractions were unwelcome when playing for “keeps”.
JWÉ TOPI
Shaped from local wook with a nail running through its centre and extending to show its point, the Top comes to life with the aid of a string. Usually done with a great deal of flair, spinning the Top requires a measure of skill and determination. Contests to determine who could spin their top for the longest time were the norm – special top spinning tricks and techniques also made for great entertainment! Though mainly seen at Christmas time, young boys spinning the Top was a popular sight throughout Saint Lucia during the days gone by.
Woulélaba
A local version of cricket that is most popular in rural communities. Woulélaba is a key aspect of socialization in the community. Excursions are organized so that one community visits another for a game, communities coming together to become a larger entity and people expanding their world over a fun game. Around the game would be other activities such as betting, the sale of food and drinks and a dance at the end of the day. These are the things that made life simple and yet complex without negative stresses so often seen today
CIRCLE (SEK)
This toy was made from a small segment of tire. One tire could produce two seks, The player used a short sturdy stick to whip the sek along and keep it upright. It takes some skill to keep the sek moving, control speed, and prevent it from toppling. Children take turns playing if there are not enough seks for each child.
WAWI
Wawi, a pit-and-pebble strategy game that originated in Africa over three millennia ago was born of the technique used to chart out mathematical calculations. Wawi rules have remained unchanged for centuries and have taught generations how to hone their mathematical skills. The game tests intellectual prowess and develops intuition and shrewdness among players and has been a staple in many communities with the elders teaching the youth and passing the tradition. Time spent together over wawi board bonded generations and taught the social skills and respect that are today still so noticeable in many rural communities.
Cited from Holecko, Catherine 12 Fun ways to play with a hula hoop: HTTP:verywellfamily.com
Cited from Charlemagne Lydia, Hol’ Me Tight: Traditional Games of Saint Lucia.