Khazza Lawizza: Ancient Egyptian Jumping Game

A jumping game painted on Egyptian tombs at Saqqara more than 4,000 years ago and still played in Egypt today. Two seated students build a wall with their feet and hands that keeps getting higher, and the others jump over without touching it. Students work on the approach run, takeoff, and landing.

How to play

1. Make 5 groups of 5. In front of each mat, two students sit facing each other with legs straight (2 min).
2. Level 1: the seated pair presses soles together. The other three jump over one at a time after 3-4 steps, landing on the mat.
3. Level 2: each seated student stacks one foot on top of the other. Level 3: they add a closed fist on top.
4. From level 4, the seated pair holds a pool noodle horizontally at knee height, then a little higher.
5. A jumper who touches the wall swaps with a seated student; every 3 minutes the whole group rotates (12 min).
6. Final challenge: the group picks the highest level all five can clear and tries it in a chain (3 min).

Rules

• Jump only when the seated students say 'ready'.
• Seated students lean back and keep fingers together.
• Take off from one foot and land on both, bending the knees.
• No diving headfirst or jumping backward.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student serves as the wall or crosses a noodle lying on the floor.
• Visual impairment: always use the noodle, and the seated pair says 'here' as the jumper arrives.
• Fitness level: each jumper chooses which level to stay at.

Learning goals

• Coordinate the approach run, one-foot takeoff, and soft landing.
• Adjust jumping power to a height that increases step by step.
• Learn about a game from ancient Egypt that has survived to the present day.

Equipment for a class of 25

• mats: 5
• pool noodles: 5

Teacher tip

Teach the landing first, without a run-up. Before each level, check that the wall is steady and the seated pair keeps their heads back.

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