Kazakhstan vermiculite is not just a game

[Global Times reporter Li Qiang Zhao Shuang] In Kazakhstan, children often play a game outdoors: a row of similar but slightly different smooth "stones" arranged neatly on the ground, as if trained "soldiers". As the child threw a "stone" in his hand, a "soldier" was knocked down and made a crisp sound. This is the traditional game of local children -vermiculite games. The vermiculite is not an ordinary stone, but the bone of the lamb or other animals's hind legs. It is said that in the tradition of Nomadic nomads in Kazakhstan, vermiculite games have a history of more than 3,000 years. The vermiculite game is not only a children's game in Kazakhstan. At present, Kazakhstan often holds different levels of events. In 2017, the Kazakhstan vermiculite game was included in the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage List. In recent years, Kazakhstan has promoted it as a national cultural symbol. This year is the 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations with China and Kazakhstan. The Kazakh Embassy has recently introduced vermiculite games at the exhibition held at the Science Fiction Industry Innovation Center of Shougang Garden, Beijing Shougang Garden, attracting many audiences.

Vermiculite competition.

The superior vermiculite is children's baby

In ancient times, the life of nomadic people relied on animal husbandry. At that time, many games were related to animals such as cattle and sheep. Archaeologists have discovered vermiculite in the cemetery of Kazakhstan more than 1,000 years ago. Researchers said that this is one of the typical funeral traditions of Eurasian grasslands. It spreads in the Bronze Age and is more common in the tombs of adults and children. The vermiculite unearthed in other parts of Kazakhstan has traces of holes and lead. Archaeologists have inferred that the history of vermiculite has a long history as a toy.

The vermiculite shaped like a three -dimensional "worker", with a total of 6 sides, of which 4 smooth surfaces can be used as a bottom, supporting the bone standing. A set of stones that are easy to touch, easy to play, and beautiful, often pinnate the longing of parents and children for a better life. In the childhood memories of many Kazakhstans, the production process of vermiculite is always accompanied by the aroma of mutton. When parents cook lamb, they will remove the meat on the lamb bones. After drying them, put them in the bag, and wait for the children to give them a certain age. These smooth and exquisite vermiculite are a "game funds" of Kazakhstan children, and they are also a baby who can't help it. Every child dreams of a different set of stones. Kazakhstan children like to dye their exclusive vermiculite on a beautiful color, or pour lead in the middle of the vermiculite to increase their weight so that they can better hit the target in the game.

Games from generation to generation

Among Kazakhstan children, the most popular and most tested vermiculite gameplay is "circle". "Fighting circles" usually require three different vermiculite: particularly large "Bouncing Wan Ti", "Sa Sanger" with a relatively heavy size and a small "caries". After taking the equipment, the player needs to find a flat ground, draw a circle with a diameter of 1.5 to 2 meters with a stick, and draw a horizontal line at the center. Each player puts his "caries" evenly on the horizontal line, and then each person takes turns to use the "Bouncing Wan Ti" or "Sa Sanger" in his hand. You can get this "caries", and failure will replace a player to continue the game. In addition to the "circle", there are other different ways to play, some are like "jumping houses", and some are similar to "throwing stones".

In Kazakhstan, when children get a set of vermiculite from their parents, they will learn the rules and skills of vermiculite games through their eyes and body imitation. This spontaneous learning allows vermiculite games to be passed down from generation to generation. Kazakh people believe that playing vermiculite games can help improve children's thinking agility and physical flexibility. At the same time, children can exercise communication and collaboration in game competition. Compared to children who do not go home, children playing with vermiculite games are better and easy to get more sincere friendship.

It is expected to become an international event

In 2017, the Kazakhstan vermiculite game was included in the United Nations Intangible Cultural Heritage List. UNESCO official website refers to the "good model of active cooperation" on the official website of the UNESCO, and believes that it can unite people with different ages and racial backgrounds. Under the promotion of official and folk efforts, vermiculite games are no longer exclusive to children. It has embarked on the path of regular development and spawned related sports. Kazakhstan started to award the title of international sports master and the title of Kazakhstan Sports Master to the vermiculite game athletes since 2021. The Kazakhstan Yamashi Game Federation also formulated modernization rules. At present, different levels of competitions are often held in Kazakhstan, and the number of professional athletes participating in the competition cannot be underestimated. A data in 2021 shows that there are 10 master -level athletes in Nur Sultan, and 12 young athletes have been elected as candidates for the title.

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