For most foreigners in Xuzhou, this is a good opportunity for them to be part of the local community and experience the life of the local people. One game involves throwing a sand bag at a runner. Of course, the bag is small, so it won’t hurt anyone. The participants are divided into two groups. Team members from group A run between a distance created by team members from group B. Group B must throw the sand bag at the runner. If the runner is hit, he or she is eliminated from the game.

In regard to the origin of the game, Hu Cunying, deputy director of Xuzhou Folk Customs Association, gave his explanation: “Xuzhou has been a strategic city since ancient times. It was a target of the warring states. At that time, enemy troops stood face to face and threw whatever was available at each other. The game of throwing sand bags originated from this. Later it became a game for rural children to play. When it rained, kids would go into the fields and throw mud at each other. This then developed into a game of throwing sand bags.”

In addition to Chinese participants, many foreigners also like to join in. They run, trying their best to avoid being hit. They shout and laugh. Many passers-by also stop and watch the game with great interest.

“When I was a school boy, I often played this game. Now that I’m older, I have no time to play. Watching the people play this game, makes me think about the early years of my life. This game trains not only your body but also your mind. Today, many city kids spend more time on computers playing games. They might know more, but they lack the fun and spontaneity that we had when we were young,” said an on-looker of the game.

Besides the game of throwing sand bags, walking a hoop is another game that attracts foreigners. It seems a difficult job for tall foreigners to hold an iron stick with a hook at one end, bow down, and try rolling the hoop in a continuous fashion. They hold their breath and try their best to keep the hoop going. But many foreigners learn the skill of rolling the hoop from their Chinese counterparts and do very well.

“Rolling the iron hoop is the most difficult. The competition and match is very good. It is good fun. I like Xuzhou very much. Today is a very nice day. The garden here is very beautiful. And it’s more about people. People seem to enjoy themselves including the foreigners here. Everybody seems to enjoy themselves. People who watch the game also enjoy themselves,” Mr. Maurice, a college English teacher from Australia, commented.

In the big family of folk games, rolling the iron hoop is a traditional folk game of Xuzhou. It originated from ancient times, during the warring states. Apparently, those who had succeeded in occupying a hill would roll rocks from the top of the hill on the attacking enemy. And those who defended a city would use the city wall to throw stones or logs on the attacking enemy. Later, it developed into a folk game. The game is designed to develop people’s balance.

However, despite of its interesting and healthy nature, this kind of game is rarely seen in big cities. One reason can be attributed to a much wider choice of activities to choose from for today's children. Meanwhile, they also have a heavy study burden. Many are forced to spend hours studying because of fierce academic competition. There is no time for them to throw sand bags around or trundle a hoop.

Nevertheless, since all of these above-mentioned gamea are good exercises not only for kids but also for adult, they are still played in rural areas or on traditional holidays in China, like Spring Festival. Some schools also arrange these kinds of activities from time to time.

To sum up, old as they are, these kinds of games still have their appeal for teenagers or even adults, but at the same time, more efforts are expected to promote them.

(China.org.cn, edited by Feng Shu according to China Radio International July 5, 2002)