From Bengal Aambali Peepli A Stick Thief

Traditionally, tree-climbing games are a favourite vacation activity for a large number of Indians. One of the games popular in West Bengal was Lathi Chor (stick thief). In Gujarat the game is called Aambali Peepli (Names of two different trees).

The Setup

Five or six players gather near a tree. A circle of 2 ft. diameter is drawn to place a small stick into it. One of the players picks up the stick and throws it with maximum force, swinging it from under his or her leg.

Roles

The single guard wields the lathi and tries to tag the thieves before they climb the tree.

The other players act as thieves and aim to climb the tree without being tagged.

The Play

The player selected to be the fetcher, runs towards the stick and brings it back. Meanwhile, all the other players climb up the tree quickly and jump down to pick the stick from the circle. The fetcher tries to catch them when they come near the circle. Whoever is caught while picking up the stick from the ground will be declared out and becomes the chaser in the next round of the game.

The lathi fetcher (guard) tries to protect the tree and catch the ‘thieves’ (chor) while the thieves aim to climb the tree without being tagged.

Starting the game

The thieves begin at a designated distance from the tree. The lathi fetcher stays near the tree, guarding it.

Chor Strategy

Thieves must work together to distract or outmaneuver the lathi fetcher. Their goal is to get close to the tree and climb it without being tagged.

Lathi fetcher’s role

The lathi fetcher uses the stick to ‘tag’ thieves before they climb the tree. The fetcher must be agile and strategic, as they are the sole defender of the tree.

Tagging

A thief is ‘out’ if the lathi fetcher successfully tags them before they are completely on the tree.

Climbing

Once a thief climbs the tree, they are safe and cannot be tagged anymore.

Winning conditions

For the Thieves: The thieves win if most or all of them manage to climb the tree without being tagged.

For the Lathi Fetcher: The fetcher wins if they tag most or all of the thieves before they can climb the tree.

Key Strategies

For the Thieves: Work as a team to distract the fetcher. Use fake runs or sudden movements to confuse the fetcher.

For the Lathi Fetcher: Anticipate the thieves’ moves and guard

the tree strategically. Focus on the most immediate threats first.

Safety Tips