Ashtachemma : A Traditional & Popular Game Played Mostly By Girls

Ashtachemma : A traditional game played with Gavvalu (wooden shells) and Chinta Pikkas (tamarind seeds). Here are the rules and gameplay of Ashtachemma:

Ashtachemma & Equipment

• Four pandepu gavvalu (shells) are used in the game.

Gameplay:

1. The game is usually played by two or four players. When there are more players, they can form two teams or races.
2. Each player places four toys, such as wooden sticks, shells, or stones, on the four sides of the game area.
3. The four pandepu gavvalu are thrown on the ground. Depending on how they fall, different names are given to the throws:

• Kannu: When one shell is turned and three remain the same.
• Two: When two shells turn and two remain the same.
• Three: When three shells turn and one remains the same.
• Chemma: When all four shells turn.
• Ashta: When all four shells fall into the holes.

1. Points are assigned to the throws: one point for Kunnu, two points for Two, three points for Three, four points for Chemma, and eight points for Ashta.
2. The player’s toy moves around in the pods, and if it captures or “kills” the opponent’s toy, it goes down into the inner pods. After going around again, it enters the house (center).
3. The remaining toys in the pods are also sent into the house.
4. When placing a bet (throwing the pandepu gavvalu), for a Chemma, one toy is released, and if Ashta falls, two toys are released. If Ashta or Chemma occurs, the player gets an opportunity to throw again.
5. The count is combined with the previous Ashta and Chemma to continue the game. Three consecutive Ashtas or three consecutive Chemas are counted only if the same throw occurs on the fourth try. Otherwise, it does not count.
6. Unaccounted bets are called “Murigilu” and “Murigeesu,” meaning three throws are broken.
7. Players should not kill each other’s toys. If the opponent’s toy is not in the specified places (inner squares) but in the outer squares, the player can move their toy to that square using the thrown gavvalu and remove the opponent’s toy.
8. When a player’s toy is killed, they can buy back one dead toy for Chemma and two dead toys for Ashta if any of those throws occur during betting.
9. The freed toys are put back in the players’ pockets, and the game continues as usual.
10. There may be an election among the players, and the ripe ones (experienced players) get to beat all the others.

Ashtachemma is a strategic and skill-based game that requires precision and decision-making. It is commonly played with Gavvalu and Chinta Pikkas, and each throw of the pandepu gavvalu determines the player’s moves and points.

Also Read : https://telugutraditions.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1845&action=edit