Szapu Magda: Gyermekjátékok (Válogatás Együd Árpád néprajzi gyűjtéseiből 3. Kaposvár, 1996)

RESUME

RESUME The internationality of children game was proved long ago by researchers. We still think that regional researches, based on original collections and monographic elaborations presenting provincial characteristics, are needed. Special bibliography of this subject is totally inaccessible. The aim of our publication was to provide valuable source not only for the profession but also for the teacher. Besides a historical survey of children's game material of hundred years - utilizing the most recent results -, the monograph offers such a collection to teachers which is essential for them throughout the vernacular, musical, physical and hygiene education. The volume publishes the singing-dancing girls' games, lyrical, motional and sporting traditional games having been collected in Somogy county from 1891, the publication date of the children's game collection of Kiss Aron, till nowadays. The monograph is base on the relics (several hundred description of games) of Együd Árpád, a well-known folklorist of Somogy county. The other important source is the children game elaboration of the museum founder, Gönczi Ferenc who was the first in our country to compile a regional monograph of the games having been collected in about 250 villages of Somogy county. On 300 pages, illustrated with a hundred scores and about 120 drawings and photos, the book publishes instrumental games, different kinds of ball- and sporting games, kinetic games (strength-skill games, round games, games of tag/tig, several marchings), mate choosing and intellectual games, ditties, lullabies and counting rhymes. The exact recording and the detailed rule description of these games make the publication suitable for serving as an assistant Schoolbook. It offers recreation, entertaining sporting and the supply of need for exercise for the varied age student groups, for the school curriculum and extra curriculum. For study circles, for excursionists and for other communal activities. Game is not only entertainment for the child but also the means of education and growing up providing behaviour patterns according to the characteristics of the age-group. It helps adopting oneself to the family and to social communities. Lyrics, tune and action form one unit in the folklore of the child so game especially in the nursery school - fills one's life but also forms an essential part in elementary school. European children songs are pentatonic, while Hungarians have preserved a stage prior to pentaton. The oldest level of children folklore is related to nature (sun-caller, rain-maker ditties), and also to animals, healing. Certain toys could be found in connection with nature peoples and among archeological findings. Data referring to the Middle Ages are more prolific but the references expand to the wedding habits of today. Certain types of children games cannot be linked to either country, nation nor ethnic groups, only the level of popularity differs. Though, there is a difference between the sexes and the age groups.