The Game of Finding in the Sand

Fiyâl (الفيال) is a traditional children's game widely played in the Arabian Peninsula—especially in the Hijaz region—taking advantage of the sandy ground. The game works as follows: A small pile of sand is created; a small object—stone, bone fragment, or button—is hidden inside. Then, the sand pile is split in half. The opposing player or team must guess which half the hidden object is in. The side that guesses incorrectly takes a penalty or loses the game. It is thought that the name of the game "fiyâl" is related to the word "elephant" (الفيل); some sources also mention that the game involves punishing by hitting the arm or leg. Playing fiyâl has been known since the Jahiliyyah period; references to this game can also be found in the diwan of ancient Arab poets like Imru' al-Qays. This game, which was played even before the advent of Islam, was an inseparable part of the Hijaz culture where the Prophet Muhammad spent his childhood. Games like this, played in the sandy streets of Medina during the evening coolness, provided a shared childhood experience for the community, from the most ordinary people to the Prophet Muhammad. References to such games are extremely valuable for understanding the cultural fabric of the society in which Islam was revealed. [Source: TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, "Game" article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/oyun; Jahiliyyah Arab literature sources; Imru' al-Qays, Diwan]