Matariki Celebration #3

A second game in our celebration will be knucklebones or Kōruru

Knuckle bones - Kōruru

How to play

Starting with one or two stones, practise throwing and catching, for example, throw and catch on the back of the hand, throw and pick up one from the ground and catch the thrown one before it hits the ground. The game is increased to playing with three stones, then four, and finally with five.

Actions for kōruru

●       Hold all five stones in one hand, throw them up in the air and catch all five stones on the back of the hand.

●       Ruru tahi (pick up ones) – Hold all five stones in one hand. Throw them up in the air to catch them. Put the caught stones (ruru) aside. Use one of the ruru to throw up in the air and sweep up one stone at a time of the fallen stones, putting each one in the ruru pile as it is successfully caught. Repeat this until all stones are in the ruru pile.

●       Ruru rua (pick up twos) – Pick up two stones in a single sweep until all are in the ruru pile.

●       Ruru toru (pick up threes) – Pick up three stones in a single sweep until all are in the ruru pile.

●       Ruru whā (pick up fours) – Pick up four stones in a single sweep until all are in the ruru pile.

The History Of Knuckle Bones

Knucklebones is played by children the world over. The game is known to Maori as koruru or ruru and is usually played with five stones. This painting is one of a series that Gottfried Lindauer painted to record Maori customs.