Back before kids had iPhones and iPads and spent their free time crushing candy and planting pea shooters to kill zombies, kids used to spend their breaks at school playing games that actually involved human interaction (shocking, right?!).
So here’s a nostalgic list of 17 games that every Egyptian kid used to play in school.
1. Esto3’omaya
Hide and Seek is probably Egypt’s and the world’s most popular game (unless someone goes missing).
2. Kahraba
The hours we’ve waited for someone to “shed el kobs”.
3. Keka 3al 3aly / Keka 3al waty
Another old school variation of kahraba that taught us to always take the high ground. Literally.
4. Sabbet Sanam
The perfect game to get revenge by hitting your friends “3ala 2afahom” as hard as you can.
5. Card games and tokens found in Chipsy (Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, etc.)
Even though there was always that one kid claiming that trading cards is haram.
6. Marbles
You’d spend your entire 2 LE allowance to buy a couple of dozen from that shady guy waiting outside by the school gates.
7. Syadeen El Samak
The Egyptian low-budget version of dodgeball definitely left some marks on every Egyptian kid.
8. Shams, 2amar.
Shams *SSSSHHHH*, 2amar *SILENCE*, Ngoom, Kawakeb!
9. Msaket El Malek
The game that taught us that you always need a witness.
10. Shad el 7abl
Because every good-old Egyptian game has to end with someone on their ass.
11. Nat el 7abl
Another game involving rope and probably one of the oldest games there is.
12. Salla7
Another excuse to get away with hitting people.
13. 3askar w 7arameyya
Teaching kids that it’s okay to be a thief as long as you don’t get caught. Oh, and to help your fellow thieves to escape as well!
14. Football
You’re not a true Egyptian unless you played soccer with a Pepsi can as a kid.
15. El saba3 balatat
The only reason why chalk might still be relevant in schools.
16. Kelo Bamya
The popular Egyptian version of rock-paper-scissors.
17. Black Shoes
The game all kids love and all moms hate.
WE SAID THIS: Don’t miss 48 Childhood Memories of Egypt that Will Make You Feel Nostalgic.
