Nikitas wrote:The terminology of the marbles game seems to have been one for the whole island.
Kittos was the hitting marble, ingoz the shout for a hit, pithami for the stretch, while palami was a palm width which qualiified for an additional marble as it was closer. Our teacher regarded this game darkly, as it was a sort of gambling, but we still played during every single break at the right season naturally.
I cannot recall which were the seasons for marbles, tchakkoui, and the spinning tops. I guess the tops must have come when the ground was harder and would support the spinners.
Before Kophinou, we lived in Kerinia (teacher uncle moved around every three years). He reckoned marbles led to the filthy habit of gambling. Everyday he would search the boys pockets and confiscate any he found. One day I found the hiding place place and didI become popular with the boys. (Until thenI was a hated figure; I was the headmasters 'son'.
My bestest friends got their marbles back. The bad ones had to show me the color of their PIASTRES. Now thats going back a bit.
Until my uncle discovered that the marbles confiscated diminished in number, rather that increasing. I never believed he would use 'THAT' cane on my backside. RIP uncle. You made me a man. I still miss you.
Needless to say , the boys would pay anything to get their 'hitter' back. They were still grateful.
