🏃♂️ Hekko • Traditional Game • Teamwork • Nagaland
☀️
⛰️
⛰️
🌳
🌴
🧒🧑👦👧🧒
🐯
🔴
✦
✦
UNIT 1 • MY LAND • SANTOOR • GRADE 4
Chapter 9
Hekko
Traditional Games • Nagaland • Teamwork • Language Learning
📖 Chapter Preview
English Preview
Hekko is a traditional team game from Nagaland. The chapter explains its name, teams, rules, scoring, and the special titles given to fast and strong players.
Hekko is a traditional team game from Nagaland. The chapter explains its name, teams, rules, scoring, and the special titles given to fast and strong players.
हिंदी झलक
हेक्को नागालैंड का एक पारंपरिक टीम खेल है। पाठ में इसके नाम, दोनों टीमों, नियमों, अंक प्राप्त करने के तरीके और खिलाड़ियों को दिए जाने वाले विशेष खिताबों के बारे में बताया गया है।
हेक्को नागालैंड का एक पारंपरिक टीम खेल है। पाठ में इसके नाम, दोनों टीमों, नियमों, अंक प्राप्त करने के तरीके और खिलाड़ियों को दिए जाने वाले विशेष खिताबों के बारे में बताया गया है।
📖 Let us Read
Chapter 9 • Hekko‘Hek’ means to challenge and ‘ko’ means tiger. Therefore, the word “Hekko” means “Challenging the tiger.” There is a folk story in Nagaland which talks about “Aami” (The Man) and “Aakho” (The Tiger).
‘Hek’ का अर्थ चुनौती देना और ‘ko’ का अर्थ बाघ है। इसलिए “Hekko” का अर्थ “बाघ को चुनौती देना” है। नागालैंड में एक लोककथा है, जिसमें “Aami” अर्थात मनुष्य और “Aakho” अर्थात बाघ की बात की गई है।
Story: Once upon a time, humans and animals lived together. They had a disagreement about their superiority. The humans challenged Aakho and the challenge came to be known as Hekko. The people in the Mokokchung district of Nagaland play a game named Hekko.
कहानी: बहुत समय पहले मनुष्य और जानवर साथ रहते थे। अपनी श्रेष्ठता को लेकर उनमें असहमति हुई। मनुष्यों ने Aakho को चुनौती दी और यह चुनौती Hekko के नाम से जानी गई। नागालैंड के Mokokchung जिले के लोग Hekko नाम का एक खेल खेलते हैं।
Hekko is a well-known sport today. Presently, it is played as a team game between two teams: Aakho and Aami. The strongest people in the village are identified through this game. There are 11 players in each team. The toss before the game decides which team will be called Aami and which will be called Aakho.
आज Hekko एक प्रसिद्ध खेल है। वर्तमान में इसे दो टीमों—Aakho और Aami—के बीच टीम खेल के रूप में खेला जाता है। इस खेल से गाँव के सबसे मजबूत लोगों की पहचान की जाती है। प्रत्येक टीम में 11 खिलाड़ी होते हैं। खेल से पहले हुआ टॉस तय करता है कि कौन-सी टीम Aami और कौन-सी Aakho कहलाएगी।
To play, a circle is first drawn, and the Aami team has to stay within the circle by making a human chain, while the Aakho team stays outside the circle. At first, two members of the Aakho team enter the circle and try to push the Aami players outside the circle.
खेल खेलने के लिए पहले एक घेरा बनाया जाता है। Aami टीम के खिलाड़ी एक मानव-श्रृंखला बनाकर घेरे के अंदर रहते हैं, जबकि Aakho टीम के खिलाड़ी घेरे के बाहर रहते हैं। शुरुआत में Aakho टीम के दो सदस्य घेरे में प्रवेश करते हैं और Aami खिलाड़ियों को घेरे से बाहर धकेलने का प्रयास करते हैं।
When an Aami player is pushed out of the circle, he is out and cannot enter again. The Aami team also tries to catch the players of the Aakho team by surrounding them. When an Aakho player is caught, he is not released until he says “Joko” (surrender).
जब Aami टीम का कोई खिलाड़ी घेरे से बाहर धकेल दिया जाता है, तो वह खेल से बाहर हो जाता है और दोबारा अंदर नहीं आ सकता। Aami टीम Aakho टीम के खिलाड़ियों को चारों ओर से घेरकर पकड़ने का भी प्रयास करती है। जब Aakho का कोई खिलाड़ी पकड़ा जाता है, तो “Joko” अर्थात आत्मसमर्पण कहने तक उसे छोड़ा नहीं जाता।
When one player gets caught and surrenders, another player from the Aakho team enters the circle. Whenever a team gets a player of the opposite team out, it gains points. The game of Hekko gets over when one of the following three things happens: all the members of the Aakho team get caught, all the members of the Aami team are pushed out, or the time runs out.
जब एक खिलाड़ी पकड़ा जाता है और आत्मसमर्पण करता है, तब Aakho टीम का दूसरा खिलाड़ी घेरे में प्रवेश करता है। जब कोई टीम विरोधी टीम के किसी खिलाड़ी को खेल से बाहर करती है, तो उसे अंक मिलते हैं। Hekko का खेल तीन में से किसी एक स्थिति में समाप्त होता है—Aakho टीम के सभी सदस्य पकड़े जाएँ, Aami टीम के सभी सदस्य घेरे से बाहर कर दिए जाएँ, या समय समाप्त हो जाए।
The team with the maximum points wins the game. The fastest player of the Aami Team is awarded the title of “Khozuba” and the strongest player of the Aakho team is awarded the title of “Khotiba”.
जिस टीम के सबसे अधिक अंक होते हैं, वही खेल जीतती है। Aami टीम के सबसे तेज खिलाड़ी को “Khozuba” की उपाधि दी जाती है और Aakho टीम के सबसे मजबूत खिलाड़ी को “Khotiba” की उपाधि दी जाती है।
📝 New Words: declared • superiority • disagreement • surrender
💭 Let us Think
A. Answer the following.
1. What does the word ‘Hekko’ mean?
It means “Challenging the tiger.”
हिंदी: इसका अर्थ “बाघ को चुनौती देना” है।
हिंदी: इसका अर्थ “बाघ को चुनौती देना” है।
2. What are the two teams in the game called?
The two teams are called Aakho and Aami.
हिंदी: दोनों टीमों के नाम Aakho और Aami हैं।
हिंदी: दोनों टीमों के नाम Aakho और Aami हैं।
3. How many players are there in each team?
There are 11 players in each team.
हिंदी: प्रत्येक टीम में 11 खिलाड़ी होते हैं।
हिंदी: प्रत्येक टीम में 11 खिलाड़ी होते हैं।
4. What do the players in the Aami team do inside the circle?
They stay inside the circle by making a human chain and also try to catch Aakho players by surrounding them.
हिंदी: वे मानव-श्रृंखला बनाकर घेरे के अंदर रहते हैं और Aakho खिलाड़ियों को घेरकर पकड़ने का प्रयास करते हैं।
हिंदी: वे मानव-श्रृंखला बनाकर घेरे के अंदर रहते हैं और Aakho खिलाड़ियों को घेरकर पकड़ने का प्रयास करते हैं।
5. Why do you think the Aakho team (Tiger) must say “Joko” when they are caught?
“Joko” means surrender, so saying it shows that the caught player accepts being defeated/caught.
हिंदी: “Joko” का अर्थ आत्मसमर्पण है; इसे कहने से पकड़ा गया खिलाड़ी अपनी हार/पकड़े जाने को स्वीकार करता है।
हिंदी: “Joko” का अर्थ आत्मसमर्पण है; इसे कहने से पकड़ा गया खिलाड़ी अपनी हार/पकड़े जाने को स्वीकार करता है।
B. Think and discuss.
1. If you were playing the game Hekko, would you prefer to be in the Aami or Aakho team? Why?
Sample: I would prefer the Aami team because I would enjoy working together in a human chain and trying to catch the opponents. Answers may vary.
2. If you could add a new rule to the game, what would it be? What would be the benefit of the new rule?
Sample: I would add a rule that every player must get a fair turn. This would make the game more inclusive and fair. Answers may vary.
📚 Let us Learn
A. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence.
1. their / there❖ ________ is a beautiful park in my neighbourhood.
❖ They completed ________ work very fast.
❖ They completed ________ work very fast.
there; their
2. two / too❖ ________ of my friends participated in the poster-making competition.
❖ I was ________ tired after playing.
❖ I was ________ tired after playing.
two; too
3. through / threw❖ The bowler ________ the ball towards the batsman.
❖ I can see the clouds ________ my window pane.
❖ I can see the clouds ________ my window pane.
threw; through
4. caught / cot❖ My mother ________ me eating an ice-cream at night.
❖ I sleep on a ________ when I am at my grandmother’s village.
❖ I sleep on a ________ when I am at my grandmother’s village.
caught; cot
5. right / write❖ While crossing the road, look to your ________, then left, then right again and then cross the road.
❖ ________ in a neat and legible handwriting.
❖ ________ in a neat and legible handwriting.
right; Write
B. Look at the pictures and write their names.
Picture groups in the textbook: star, bottle, stethoscope, glass, child on steps, chair. Sort/write the names under st, ch, and gl as appropriate.
Model classification:
st → stairs, starch → chairgl → glass
st → stairs, starch → chairgl → glass
C. Match the animals with their sound.
1. Tiger 2. Horse 3. Elephant 4. Dove 5. Goat 6. Monkey
coostrumpetsroarsneighswhoopsbleats
coostrumpetsroarsneighswhoopsbleats
Tiger—roars; Horse—neighs; Elephant—trumpets; Dove—coos; Goat—bleats; Monkey—whoops.
D. Past simple tense
Read: “Once upon a time, humans and animals lived together. Aakho declared that the tigers had the first right on all the things. The humans challenged Aakho.”
Rule: The underlined words show events that happened in the past. In past simple tense, -ed can be added to many verbs to make the past form.
Rule: The underlined words show events that happened in the past. In past simple tense, -ed can be added to many verbs to make the past form.
E. Fill in the blanks using -ed.
Last week, we ________ (visit) the park for a while. There were many children in the park. They were playing different games. My mother ________ (point) at the children playing kabbadi. On our way home, my sister ________ (jump) in a puddle and muddied everyone's clothes. I ________ (enjoy) my visit to the park.
My sister ________ (want) to go to the pond but I ________ (decide) to stay and watch the game of kabbadi. I ________ (watch) the game for a while and then ________ (join) my mother and sister. There were many fishes in the pond. I ________ (spot) a goldfish and my sister ________ (notice) two tadpoles in the pond.
My sister ________ (want) to go to the pond but I ________ (decide) to stay and watch the game of kabbadi. I ________ (watch) the game for a while and then ________ (join) my mother and sister. There were many fishes in the pond. I ________ (spot) a goldfish and my sister ________ (notice) two tadpoles in the pond.
visited, pointed, jumped, enjoyed, wanted, decided, watched, joined, spotted, noticed.
Remember: Some verbs do not take -ed in the past form. Examples from the textbook include came, drank, drove, saw. Such verbs are called irregular verbs.
👂 Let us Listen
Listen to the description of some traditional games of India. Identify each game and write its name.
1. Seven stones are stacked. A team throws a ball to knock them down, then hurriedly rearranges them while the opponent tries to hit the players.
Lagori / Satoliya
2. Two teams play. One player crosses to the other side while chanting the name of the game continuously without taking a breath, tries to tag players, and returns before being caught.
Kabaddi
3. The game uses two wooden sticks—a short one and a longer one. The shorter stick is hit into the air and then struck again to send it flying.
Gilli Danda
4. Two children form an arch with their arms while others walk under it singing a song. When the song ends, the arch drops and the caught player joins in.
Chain/arch game (the traditional singing-and-catching game shown in the textbook).
5. Children use small round glass objects and flick them with their fingers to knock out target glass objects placed in a circle.
Goli / Marbles
🗣️ Let us Speak
A. Look at the pictures and identify the games being played.
The textbook pictures show children playing traditional/outdoor games. Discuss the games you recognise with your partner.
Discussion prompts:
- Have you played any of these games before?
- Which games do you recognise?
- Which one is your favourite? Why do you enjoy playing it?
Sample: I recognise skipping and other outdoor games. My favourite is skipping because it is enjoyable and keeps me active. Answers may vary.
Teacher Note: The textbook points out that these games involve physical and mental strength. For example, skipping involves jumping and can build bone density. Discuss other physical and mental benefits of the games.
✍️ Let us Write
A. Design your own game
You read how the people of Nagaland made the game of Hekko. Use the space below to write about a new game that you would like to play.
Material needed:
Rules:
Foul:
📝 Word Treasure / Sentence Practice
Write five sentences using new words from the chapter.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
🔎 Let us Explore
Explore Nagaland: Nagaland is a land of festivals. Hornbill is one of the festivals that promotes the culture of the state. Find out more about it.
Mini Research: Find three traditional games played in your locality or another state of India.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
🇮🇳 English + हिंदी
Hekko is a traditional team game from Nagaland. It is played by two teams, Aakho and Aami.
हेक्को नागालैंड का एक पारंपरिक टीम खेल है। इसे Aakho और Aami नाम की दो टीमें खेलती हैं।
Teamwork is important in the game. Players have to cooperate, follow rules and try to score points.
इस खेल में टीमवर्क महत्वपूर्ण है। खिलाड़ियों को मिल-जुलकर काम करना, नियमों का पालन करना और अंक प्राप्त करने का प्रयास करना होता है।
📘 Summary
English Summary:
Hekko is a traditional game played in Nagaland. Its name is connected with challenging the tiger. The game has two teams, Aami and Aakho, with 11 players each. Aami players stay inside a circle and try to catch Aakho players, while Aakho players try to push Aami players outside. Points decide the winner. The fastest Aami player is called Khozuba and the strongest Aakho player is called Khotiba.
Hekko is a traditional game played in Nagaland. Its name is connected with challenging the tiger. The game has two teams, Aami and Aakho, with 11 players each. Aami players stay inside a circle and try to catch Aakho players, while Aakho players try to push Aami players outside. Points decide the winner. The fastest Aami player is called Khozuba and the strongest Aakho player is called Khotiba.
हिंदी सारांश:
हेक्को नागालैंड का एक पारंपरिक खेल है। इसके नाम का संबंध बाघ को चुनौती देने से है। इसमें Aami और Aakho नाम की दो टीमें होती हैं और प्रत्येक में 11 खिलाड़ी होते हैं। Aami खिलाड़ी घेरे के अंदर रहकर Aakho खिलाड़ियों को पकड़ते हैं, जबकि Aakho खिलाड़ी Aami खिलाड़ियों को बाहर करने का प्रयास करते हैं। अधिक अंक वाली टीम जीतती है। Aami के सबसे तेज खिलाड़ी को Khozuba और Aakho के सबसे मजबूत खिलाड़ी को Khotiba कहा जाता है।
हेक्को नागालैंड का एक पारंपरिक खेल है। इसके नाम का संबंध बाघ को चुनौती देने से है। इसमें Aami और Aakho नाम की दो टीमें होती हैं और प्रत्येक में 11 खिलाड़ी होते हैं। Aami खिलाड़ी घेरे के अंदर रहकर Aakho खिलाड़ियों को पकड़ते हैं, जबकि Aakho खिलाड़ी Aami खिलाड़ियों को बाहर करने का प्रयास करते हैं। अधिक अंक वाली टीम जीतती है। Aami के सबसे तेज खिलाड़ी को Khozuba और Aakho के सबसे मजबूत खिलाड़ी को Khotiba कहा जाता है।
🤝 Let us Do
🎨 Activity: Hekko Team Badge
Create a badge/logo for a Hekko team. You may include a tiger, circle, players, traditional patterns or symbols of teamwork.
Explain your design:
🧠 Quick Revision
Which team stays inside the circle?
Aami team.
How many players are in each team?
11 players.
What does “Joko” mean?
Surrender / आत्मसमर्पण.
Who gets the title Khozuba?
The fastest player of the Aami Team.
word
English Word
word
Pronunciation
🇮🇳 Hindi Meaning
Easy Sentence