Escravos de Jó
Also known as Job's Slaves (ring game)
A fast-paced circle clapping game where an object passes hand to hand in rhythm, lose the beat and you're out.
How to play
Players sit in a circle, each with a small found object in front of them (a stone, a folded leaf).
Everyone claps and sings 'Escravos de Jó, jogavam caxangá, tira, bota, deixa ficar.'
On 'tira' (take) each player picks up their object, on 'bota' (put) they place it in front of the right neighbor, on 'deixa ficar' (leave it) they tap it in place.
On 'zig-zig-zá' the object passes right on each syllable.
Anyone who drops, passes early, or loses rhythm is eliminated.
The group speeds up each round.
Keep it fair
Agree on tempo before you begin and keep one person as the 'rhythm keeper', disputes about who dropped the beat are avoided when there is a clear reference pace.
