Esto'omaya
Also known as Al-Ghumayda, الغميضة
The Egyptian and North African version of hide-and-seek, played in neighbourhood streets and courtyards.
How to play
One player is chosen as the seeker.
They stand at a designated wall or tree (home base), close their eyes, and count aloud to an agreed number, usually 20 or 30. All other players scatter and hide in the surrounding area.
When counting is done, the seeker shouts 'Ready or not!' (in Egyptian Arabic: 'Aho!') and begins hunting.
When the seeker spots a hider, they race back to home base and slap it, calling the player's name aloud.
If the hider reaches home base before the seeker does, they shout 'Salamat!' (safe!) and are free.
If tagged, they are the next seeker.
The first player found and tagged (not safe) is the next seeker.
Keep it fair
Agree on the counting number and the exact boundaries before starting, 'inside the courtyard only' or 'no further than the corner' removes all boundary disputes.
