Players: 4 or more
Time: 15 minutes
You need: A place with steps, kerbs or low platforms
Ages: 5 and above
Type: Traditional Indian games

Who it suits and when to play

Oonch Neech suits four or more children from five years upward, anywhere that has safe raised places: low steps, kerbs, a platform, the edge of a sandpit. It is a quick game for the ten minutes before dinner. Check the "high" places first; they should be low enough to step down from, not to jump from.

How to play

Choose a den. The others ask together, "Oonch neech ka papda, oonch maangi ya neech?" (high or low?)
The den answers "oonch" (high) or "neech" (low). That ground belongs to the den.
If the den takes "neech", runners are safe on any raised place, such as a step or a kerb, and must cross the low ground to tease the den.
The den tags anyone standing on the den's kind of ground.
A tagged player becomes the next den.

Tips and variations

Use only low, firm raised places. No walls, railings or anything a child could fall from.

Common problems and how to fix them

Children climb somewhere unsafe. Before starting, name the allowed high places. Walls, railings and furniture are never among them.
A player stays in a safe place for ever. Nobody may stay in one safe place for more than a count of ten.
The den gives up. Change the den after every catch, or after two minutes.

More traditional Indian games

Need fair teams or someone to go first? Use the team maker. See all 45 games.