Mesob Hopscotch

    By meronkebede12

    Mesob Hopscotch cover image

    04 Feb, 2024

    a group of children standing together in a circle on a dirt road in front of a valley and hills, les nabis, a jigsaw puzzle, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    In the warm heart of Ethiopia, nestled among verdant hills, a group of children gathered. Laughter echoed across the landscape as they prepared to play a traditional game, "Mesob Hopscotch."

    a group of children in colorful robes and holding canes standing in a dirt field with trees in the background, afrofuturism, a poster, Afewerk Tekle, movie still

    With chalk in hand, the eldest child, a boy named Tesfaye, began to draw a large grid on the ground. The squares were numbered from one to ten in Amharic numerals.

    a young boy holding a plate in front of a crowd of people in a desert area with tents in the background, art & language, a mosaic, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    Tesfaye finished the grid and picked up a flat stone, presenting it as the game's playing stone. It was the perfect representation of the injera, the beloved Ethiopian bread.

    a young girl in a colorful dress is smiling and waving her hands in the air with other children in the background, afrofuturism, a detailed matte painting, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    With a firm throw, Tesfaye tossed the stone into the first square. It landed perfectly, earning cheers and claps from the other children.

    a young boy in a red shirt and white pants running down a street with a brick wall and a blue sky in the background, afrofuturism, concept art, Altoon Sultan, cinematic still

    Tesfaye took a deep breath, hopped over the first square, and began his journey across the grid. His focus was intense as he navigated the game's challenges.

    a young boy in a costume walking across a street with a group of people behind him and a line of people behind him, naive art, a jigsaw puzzle, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    As he hopped, he carefully avoided the lines and the square with the stone. His feet were nimble, his balance commendable. The children watched in awe.

    a young boy is running down a dirt road with a soccer ball in his hand and a green vest on, art photography, a stock photo, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    Reaching the end of the grid, Tesfaye turned around and hopped back, picking up the stone without losing his balance. The children erupted in cheers.

    a group of children in a village with a woman in a blue dress and a group of children in red dresses, art & language, a stock photo, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    Selam, a younger girl with bright eyes, stepped up next. She held the stone tightly, aiming carefully before tossing it onto the grid.

    a young girl in a colorful dress smiles and points at the camera while wearing a necklace and bracelet with beads, naive art, a stock photo, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    Selam hopped through the grid with a grace beyond her years, her braids swinging in rhythm with her movements. She was clearly a natural at Mesob Hopscotch.

    a group of children in colorful dresses are dancing together in a village in africa, with a group of people in the background, art & language, a poster, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    The game continued, with each child taking turns, tossing the stone, and hopping through the grid. The air was filled with laughter, cheers, and friendly competition.

    three young girls are walking together in the desert at sunset or dawn, with mountains in the background, and a valley in the distance, samikshavad, a picture, Daniel Lieske, cinematic photography

    The sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the hills and the playing children. The game had brought them together, strengthening their bond.

    a group of young girls standing next to each other in a field with a sunset in the background and a person standing in front of them, art photography, computer graphics, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    As the last rays of the sun disappeared, the children gathered around the winner, Selam. She beamed, her eyes shining with pride and joy.

    two young girls are hugging each other in front of a group of children in a village with flags and bunting, afrofuturism, a poster, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    Tesfaye, the runner-up, was the first to congratulate her. He clapped her shoulder with a proud smile, accepting his defeat gracefully.

    a group of young children standing next to each other in front of a building with a smile on their face, primitivism, a stock photo, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    They all cheered for Selam, the new Mesob Hopscotch champion. She was lifted onto their shoulders, her victory celebrated by all.

    a group of children standing next to each other in front of a sky full of stars and a full moon, afrofuturism, poster art, Ella Guru, promotional image

    As the stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky, the children started to disperse, their hearts full of joy and their minds filled with memories of the day.

    two young boys standing next to each other in front of a building with a door and a window on the side, primitivism, a poster, Afewerk Tekle, promotional image

    Tesfaye and Selam were the last to leave. They looked at the faded grid, their hearts filled with the spirit of the game and the joy it brought.

    two young girls in traditional clothing smile at each other in a field of grass and trees in the background, sumatraism, a stock photo, Afewerk Tekle, cinematic photography

    "Tomorrow, we'll play again," Tesfaye said, his eyes shining with anticipation. Selam nodded, her smile matching his enthusiasm.

    a boy and girl walking down a dirt road holding hands and smiling at the camera while people are walking by, naive art, a poster, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    As they left the playing field, the spirit of Mesob Hopscotch lingered, a testament to their camaraderie, their culture, and the joy of being a child in the heart of Ethiopia.

    three young girls in ethnic clothing walking down a dirt road in the mountains of africa, with mountains in the background, sumatraism, a microscopic photo, Afewerk Tekle, cinematic photography

    The hills echoed with their laughter, the memory of the game imprinted on the land. Mesob Hopscotch was more than a game; it was a celebration of friendship and culture.

    three children in colorful outfits walking down a dirt road in africa with a tree in the background and a blue sky with clouds, primitivism, a picture, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    And so, under the wide African sky, the tradition of Mesob Hopscotch lived on, passed from one generation to the next, a cherished part of their heritage.

    a group of children running down a dirt road in front of a building with writing on it that says'go ', danube school, a jigsaw puzzle, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    The game of Mesob Hopscotch was more than a pastime for the children; it was a symbol of unity, strength, and the vibrant Ethiopian culture they were proud to be a part of.

    a group of young children standing next to each other in front of a building at night with a full moon in the sky, art photography, a jigsaw puzzle, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    As the night settled, the echoes of their laughter and the memories of the game lingered, a beautiful reminder of the day spent playing Mesob Hopscotch.

    a group of children are running across a brick walkway in front of a sunset sky and mountains in the distance, art photography, a jigsaw puzzle, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    A new day would dawn, and the children would gather again, ready to toss the stone and hop through the grid, keeping the tradition of Mesob Hopscotch alive.

    a group of children running in a line with their arms around each other and smiling at the camera,, afrofuturism, a photorealistic painting, Afewerk Tekle, highly detailed digital painting

    And so, the game continued, weaving stories of friendship, competition, and joy, a testament to the vibrant culture and the unyielding spirit of the Ethiopian children.

    a group of children running across a dirt field with a chalk board on the ground in front of them, art photography, a jigsaw puzzle, Afewerk Tekle, award-winning photograph

    The hills would echo with their laughter, the grid would be drawn, and the stone would be tossed, for the game of Mesob Hopscotch was far from over; it was just beginning.