Tekeli Bhonga Khel – Assam

From Assam

Mitdel Khuangvuak

Tekeli Bhonga has been played in Assamese villages for generations. Traditionally, it was played during community gatherings where everyone—from children to elders—took part or cheered the players. The earthen pot (tekeli) symbolizes agricultural life, as clay pots were commonly used in every Assamese household.

During Bohag Bihu, the Assamese New Year festival, this game is a common attraction in open fields. The joyous cries of villagers cheering for players echo the festive spirit of unity and happiness.

This game is generally played by children of 5 years and above and even adults. Here, an upside down earthen pot is kept on the ground. The player is made to stand at a certain distance approximately 10-15 feet or more from the pot.

The Setup

Materials required

1.One earthen pot. More if players want to play longer.
2.A bamboo/wooden stick, about 3 to 4 feet long.
3.A piece of cloth of approximately 2-3 feet in length.

The distance from the pot varies according to the age group. Defined boundaries border lines can be drawn 15 feet around the pot.

Players

The game can be played individually or in teams. One can create two teams to compete against each other, or each individual plays while others watch, cheer and judge.

Usually, 5–10 participants take part in a round.

The Play

An earthen pot is placed upside down on the ground inside a marked circle, and a starting line is drawn about 10 feet away from the pot.

Blindfolding the Player

The player’s eyes are tied with a cloth so that they cannot see.

The player is then spun around 3–5 times to confuse their sense of direction.

The Challenge

The player, holding the stick, must walk from the starting line towards the pot. As expected, the players will not know in which direction the pot will be.

They try to locate the pot by listening to the cheering and clapping of others. Once the player feels confident, they strike the stick on the ground, aiming to hit and break the pot.

.

Winning

If the player successfully hits and breaks the pot, they win the round.

If they miss, the next player takes the turn.

In team formats, the team with the most successful strikes wins.

Rules

1.The player must remain blindfolded from start to finish.
2.The stick should not be thrown—only swung or struck.
3.Players cannot receive direct verbal directions like ‘left’ or ‘right’; only cheering sounds are allowed.
4.Each player gets only one attempt per turn.
5.The area around the pot should be cleared for safety.
6.The pot must be placed upside down before each round.

Safety Measures

1.Keep the audience at a safe distance from the playing area.
2.Use a lightweight bamboo stick to avoid injury.
3.Avoid sharp pieces of broken pot after each round.
4.Do not spin the player too fast or for too long.

Educational Value

Playing Tekeli Bhonga helps children to

1.Develop coordination and focus.
2.Build spatial awareness and listening skills.
3.Learn the importance of fair play and patience.