17 Games Every Egyptian Kid Has Played in School

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.