Thursday, 19 Sep 2024

Gilli-Danda / Dandi Biyo

Gilli-Danda, also known as Dandi Biyo, is a traditional game played in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It is a simple yet engaging game that requires only two pieces of equipment: a long wooden stick called a danda and a small oval-shaped piece of wood known as a gilli.

Playing Gilli-Danda

In Gilli-Danda, the objective is similar to that of cricket. The game is played with two or more players, with one player using the danda to launch the gilli into the air. The batter then tries to hit the gilli as far as possible, while the fielders try to catch it. If the gilli is caught, the batter is out.

To start the game, a player stands in the center of a small circle and balances the gilli on a stone, with one end touching the ground and the other in the air. The player then hits the gilli with the danda, sending it flying. While the gilli is in the air, the player takes another swing to hit it outside the circle. The other players then chase and catch the gilli. If the batter fails to hit the gilli in three tries, they are out.

Additionally, the player must run to a predetermined location outside the circle before the gilli is retrieved by an opponent. If the gilli lands on the ground, the fielder closest to it has one chance to throw the danda, which must be placed on top of the circle. If the fielder successfully hits the danda, the striker is out; if not, the striker scores one point and gets another turn to bat. The team or individual with the most points wins the game.

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Dandi Biyo

Dandi Biyo is a similar game played in rural Nepal. It involves using a 2-foot-long stick (the dandi) and a shorter six-inch long wooden pin (the biyo). The gameplay involves throwing the biyo into a hole and preventing the hitter from hitting and throwing the pin away. If the pin successfully goes into the hole, the player using the dandi loses all their points.

The Cultural Significance

Gilli-Danda holds significant cultural value in the regions where it is played. In Nepal, there are concerns that the traditional game of Dandi Biyo is gradually dying out. Calls have been made for the government to implement preservation policies to safeguard this cultural game.

Interesting Fact

Gilli-Danda has its origins in India and dates back as far as 2500 years ago. Some believe that Gilli-Danda may have influenced the creation of sports like cricket, baseball, and softball.

Similar Sports

  • Cricket: A team sport played on a rectangular pitch, where two batters protect their wickets while the fielding team attempts to get them out.
  • Stoolball: A team sport played on a circular grass field, considered to be a precursor to cricket and baseball.
  • Bat-and-Trap: An old English bat and ball game where a ball is projected into the air out of a trap using a bat and hit between posts 21 feet away.
  • Knurr and Spell: An old English game from Yorkshire, where a stick is used to hit a ball launched from a trap (no longer played).

Related Pages

  • Complete List of Sports
  • The Encyclopedia of Sports
  • Sport in Nepal
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FAQs

Q: How is Gilli-Danda played?
A: Gilli-Danda is played with a long wooden stick called a danda and a small oval-shaped piece of wood called a gilli. The objective is to hit the gilli as far as possible using the danda and score points.

Q: What is Dandi Biyo?
A: Dandi Biyo is a similar game played in rural Nepal. It involves using a longer stick called a dandi and a shorter pin called a biyo. The gameplay revolves around throwing the biyo into a hole and preventing the hitter from hitting and throwing the pin away.

Q: What are some similar sports to Gilli-Danda?
A: Similar sports to Gilli-Danda include cricket, stoolball, bat-and-trap, and knurr and spell.

Summary

Gilli-Danda, or Dandi Biyo, is a traditional game enjoyed in various South Asian countries. It requires skill, precision, and teamwork. The game involves using a long stick to hit a smaller piece of wood and scoring points based on distance and successful hits. Gilli-Danda holds cultural significance and has possibly influenced the creation of other popular sports like cricket and baseball. However, there are concerns about the preservation of this traditional game in Nepal. To keep this cultural heritage alive, efforts must be made to ensure its continuation for future generations to experience and enjoy.