Functions of children's games and game songs with special reference to isiNdebele : the young adult's reflections

Abstract

Children’s games and game songs are part of the traditional literature that was handed down from generation to generation by a word of mouth. The study focuses on the functions of children’s games and game songs as reflected by the young adults. The research study was conducted amongst the Southern amaNdebele in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces. The researcher chose two municipalities in Mpumalanga province, which is Dr JS Moroka and Thembisile Hani. In Gauteng, the research was conducted in the three townships, which are Soshanguve, Mamelodi and Atteridgeville. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect and analyse data. Data was collected by using interviews, questionnaires, observation and other related books and documents. The coding schemes i.e. open coding and axial coding were used to collect and interpret data. Open coding helped the researcher to identify different types of games and game songs performed by children. Axial coding assisted the researcher to regroup games and game songs with similar skills and attributes together for further analysis. Lastly, the axial coding provided the researcher with the broader functions of games and game songs. To achieve the aim of the study the researcher collected children’s games and game songs, identified different types of games and game songs and provided a detailed analysis of their functions. The functions of games and game songs were outlined as follows: physical, social, emotional, psychological, moral, and fun or entertainment, mental development and to while away time. Additionally, the researcher discovered that games and game songs help in the cleaning of the environment. She further established that some games and game songs were carried forward by word of mouth from generation to generation without any changes and that neighbouring languages have influenced some. The researcher asserts that children in schools perform most games and game songs and they learn them from their peers and from the environment in which they grow up. The researcher recommended that some games and game songs could be integrated in the formal programs of teaching and learning. Furthermore, the games and game songs that have been collected should be preserved for future use.