Rasarìndra.
They all stand in a row, every one with his or her[1] làmba (the outer cloth) tightly girded round the waist, the tallest in front, and the younger and weaker behind them, each taking hold of the tightly-bound dress of the one in front. Then one who is biggest is chosen to catch the rest, and this one is called "the robber." And another of the big ones is chosen to be "children's mother," to take care of the little ones. As soon as all are arranged, the "robber" calls out, "Where is Such-an-one for us?" mentioning first those who are hindmost. Calling out thus she comes near to the mother, who answers, "We won't give up Such-an-one." Then touching the biggest one, she says, "Where is the children's mother for us?" Then they all shout out, "We won't give up children's mother." Then the catcher calls out again, Where then is our little lamb?" So the youngest at the end of the line answers "Meh" (imitating the bleat of a lamb). Then the catcher replies, "Here's our little lamb!" and does her best to catch the youngest and last of the row. Having caught this one she then tries to catch those next in the line, one after another, until they are all caught, the children's mother meanwhile protecting them all in her power.
Then follow descriptions of two games somewhat resembling what is known in England as "Oranges and Lemons," and ending with "Here comes a lighter to light you to bed; here comes a chopper to chop off the last man's head." They are called
Sòamìditra (lit. "Good entering") No. 1.
Two of the tallest in the party stand up, and face each other, leaving a space between them for a gateway; and clapping their hands together they sing:—
Soamiditra é, miditra é, é miditra é!
Good entering O, entering O, entering O!
Then the lesser ones form a line and take fast hold of each other, and stooping down, sing out:—
Valala manjoko à;
Kitraotrao!
Valala mandry à;
Mandriaria!
Locusts stooping O!
Fight, fight!
Locusts lying down O!
Lie down, down!
- ↑ These games are chiefly practised by girls, or by girls and very young boys.
