10 Toys and Games Enslaved Black Children Played with Growing Up

via americanhistory.si.edu Hide the Switch The rules of this game are as follows: One child takes a thin, strong branch, or “switch" and hides it. The children then begin to look for the switch. Whoever finds the switch can then chase after and whip the other children with it. An article published on fairetymetoys.com states that this game “be viewed as an attempt to deal psychologically with the constant fear of the lash and the authority of the Master.” Role Play Enslaved African children would often imitate their reality as a form of play. According to a report released by The National Archives of the United Kingdom, role play was "an important psychological activity; it helped slave children in socialization and in the acceptance of distressing situations through role play games such as slave auction recreations.” Furthermore, in her book, Stolen Childhood: Slave Youth in Nineteenth-Century America, Wilma King writes of an instance in which a white boy tied two enslaved children to a toy cart. They were forced to act as horses, dragging a cart as they were whipped by the young white boy. This scenario sheds light on the fact that white people of all ages deemed Black people, young and old, as animalistic beings, as opposed to human beings. via dezeen.com Stick Riding Horses Young Black children would often make wooden horses out of sticks. This is due to the fact that they were “denied the luxury of formal shop bought toys,” according The National Archives of the United Kingdom report. No Bogeyman Tonight While playing this game, the young enslaved Africans would designate one child as the “Bogeyman.” In their book, History of Early Childhood Education, V. Celia Lascarides and Blythe F Hinitz explain that during the game “one child pretended to be an evil spirit and attempted to catch the others.” They explain that the fear of evil spirits was common among Black children. Dolls Young girls would often make dolls out of whatever materials they could find. While their dolls would never be as “authentic” as the dolls of the young white children, they still found a way to make their own with a variety of materials including corn husk, cloth, and old shoes. They also made “topsy turvy” dolls which consisted of a two dolls, one Black and one white, joined together. Storytelling Storytelling is an age-old African tradition. This is made evident by the existence of the “griots,” West African poets, musicians, and storytellers. Their life purpose is to preserve the oral history of their people; this role is a very high honor. Manifestations of this tradition, no doubt, traveled with the enslaved Africans through the Middle Passage. Black children would often tell stories, just as their ancestors had once done, to enjoy themselves and pass the time. They would often sing and dance as well. Marbles Marbles were also common toys amongst Black enslaved children and they were made out of a variety of materials. In fact, the report released by The National Archives of the United Kingdom expounds upon the story of Lindsey Moore, and young enslaved child. He “details a marbles tournament his master took him to where he competed against slave children from other plantations.” via seriouseats.com Smut The children of enslaved Africans would play “smut,” the equivalent of playing cards. Yet, instead of obtaining actual playing cards, they would “ different grains of corn with marks to distinguish the suits and numbers,” according to a fairetymetoys.com article. Jump Rope The girls of the time period would often jump rope. This pastime is a phenomenon that can now be seen throughout the globe. via beaufortcountylibrary.org Competitive Athletic Games The Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and Society conveys that enslaved Black children often competed against each other in athletic competitions. These competitions would often involve racing, throwing, swimming, weightlifting and jumping. They also played “shinny,” which serves as the origin of modern-day hockey.

Related Stories

‘We Don’t Play That!’: Social Media Erupts After Reporter Gifts Ayo Edebiri a ‘Voodoo Doll’ of Herself on the Red Carpet

Skeletal Remains Found in Mexico Reveal Stories of African Enslavement 500 Years Ago in Latin America

Mississippi Cemetery Crews Find 119 Unmarked Graves of Enslaved Africans During Maintenance Work