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The cap hiding game
  1. Home
  2. Shkodra Region
  3. Puke Municipality
  4. The cap hiding...
The cap hiding game

Loja e kapuçave (the cap hiding game) is a centuries-old game played throughout the northern territories. This game was played during the winter because of long-night season. At times, this game lasted almost overnight. Men of the same village would usually get together after dinner in one of their houses, in the men’s room, and play kapuçash. They were divided into two groups. The best players were the main protagonists of the game and therefore the ones to select the teams.

The aim of this game is to hide a grain into the caps, which can be white beans, maize grains, or any small item, as the case may be.

Even though it is called the cap hiding game, slippers or gloves can also be used. When the protagonist of one team hides the grain by jumbling all caps, the other team must find it, and if not, the opposing team wins the point. The team scoring the first 100 points, is the winner.

At this point, members of the winning team have the right to tease those of the losing team through verses and songs. This is mostly the case when the teams are confronted with a great rivalry between them. Alternatively, when both teams respect each other, they tolerate their opponent allowing them to sing their own songs. In that case, verse “teasing” is more convenient.