The Exhibition Chi Chi Chành Chành
The World of Traditional Nursery Rhymes
In Northern Vietnam, folk games were almost never played in silence, they were driven by rhymes. Nursery Rhymes provided rhythm, selected players, taught game rules, and created excitement. Some told tiny stories, while others were playful strings of rhyming images that were easy to chant.
A magpie-robin sweet,
Perched on a lemon tree.
I threw a tile piece,
It tumbled in the pond!
Brought back to stir and fry,
Three full bowls stacked high.
The master eats one bowl,
The medium eats two!
Left with head and ear,
Offer to the Prince.
Prince asks: ‘What bird is this?’
‘The magpie-robin, sir!’
“Nu na nu nống” is a classic traditional counting-out rhyme used in a famous sit-down group game for Northern Vietnamese children. Players sit in a row with their legs stretched out side-by-side. As everyone chants the rhythmic verse together, the leader taps each leg on every beat. The leg that receives the final beat on the word “rụt” (withdraw) must be pulled in. The player who tucks both legs in first wins the round.
Oh Heaven, send us rain!
Water for us to drain,
Fields for us to plow,
Bowls of rice right now,
Chunks of big fish, somehow!
(1) The Leech Game is a lively counting-out rhyme used in a famous tag game played in open yards. One child is chosen as the “Leech” and stands in the middle of a designated area representing a river. As the other children chant the verse together while crossing back and forth, the “Leech” must tag someone before they reach the safe “riverbank.” Anyone tagged becomes the new “Leech” for the next round.
(2) Corn and rice are Soybean’s aunt,
Soybean is Cucumber’s brother grand.
Cucumber is Melon’s kin,
Melon is Watermelon’s sister twin,
Watermelon is Uncle to Corn and Rice again.
Dragon Snake is a classic Vietnamese children’s game. Players hold onto each other’s shirts or waists to form a long, winding line (the “dragon snake”). The player at the front as the dragon head leads the line to confront another player acting as the “doctor” to recite this verse. It’s a rhythmic, playful challenge used to initiate the game of chasing and defense.
Mít mật mít dai.
Mười hai thứ mít.
Ông xin thịt bà xin xôi.
Lạy chúa tôi xin mù mịt.
“Chi chi chành chành” is a fast-paced hand-reflex game that inspired the name of our exhibition. Children gather around while one player holds out an open palm. The other players place one index finger onto that palm. Everyone recites this rhyme together. On the very last word “ù ập” (snap!), the leader quickly closes their hand, and everyone must snap their fingers back instantly. Anyone caught becomes the next leader.
Tap the bream,
Press the carp.
Pretty legs
Go for yeast.
Ugly legs,
Stay inside as cat and dog!
(1) Mr. Nỉnh and Mr. Ninh walk to the hall, meeting Mr. Nảng and Mr. Nang.
Mr. Nảng and Mr. Nang walk to the town, meeting Mr. Nỉnh and Mr. Ninh back round.
(2) “Sawing The Wood” is a classic two-player pretend game for young children. Two players sit cross-legged facing each other, holding hands tightly. As they recite the rhythmic verse, they swing back and forth in a rocking motion, mimicking two carpenters sawing a massive log together. The playfully teasing ending brings endless giggles to both players.
(3) “Sawing and Squeaking” is another fun variation of the popular “Sawing The Wood” game.
When March arrives, oh tell me when?
Frogs drag big snakes out from their den!
Tigers lie down for pigs to lick,
Ten persimmons gulp an old man quick.
A rice ball swallows a ten-year-old child,
A chicken and wine jar swallow men wild.
Eels lie still for fish-traps to creep,
A swarm of locusts hunts carp in the deep.
Young rice leaps up to eat the dame,
Wild weeds stalk water buffaloes to tame.
Baby chicks chase hawks out of the shed,
And tiny sparrows smash a pelican’s head!
Three ladies go to sell piglets small,
Unsold, pitter-patter home they crawl.
Three ladies go to sell old sows,
Unsold, home they pitter-patter now.
The dirt-dauber feeds her kid with spiders,
When grown, it flies away with outsiders.
The poor wasp sits sobbing in despair:
‘Oh child, my child, where you’ve gone to?’
These are playful chants with rambling lyrics, just meant for mothers and grandmothers to chew betel nut, sway gentle hammocks, and lull their little ones to sleep.
“Strolling Hand in Hand” is an outdoor walking games. Kids hold hands to form a long line, swinging their arms back and forth in harmony as they stroll together. The playful verse gently recites funny, innocent requests to Heaven. On the very last word “ngồi xệp” (squat down) everyone drops to the ground at once, bursting into cheerful laughter.
“Thìa la thìa lảy” is a playful, teasing counting-out rhyme traditionally used in rural Northern villages. Filled with sharp folk humor, it sarcastically lists “seven trades” of a lazy girl, turning mischievous habits into mock professions. Children often chant it while skipping rope or rhythmically clapping hands before starting a game.
(1) Hold the string tight,
Shake it just right.
Let dad fly the kite
To earn rice for my child!
(2) This is call-and-response folk chants, traditionally sung during community labor, riverboat rowing, or rhythm-based group games in rural Vietnam. One leader sets the pitch and starts the chant, while the whole group echoes back with a spirited chorus “Hò khoan”.
This is call-and-response folk chants, traditionally sung during community labor, riverboat rowing, or rhythm-based group games in rural Vietnam. One leader sets the pitch and starts the chant, while the whole group echoes back with a spirited chorus “Hò khoan”.
(1) Climb a ladder to the cloud,
Ask why Cuội clings to his tree.
Cuội just laughs and speaks out loud:
‘Lies have bound this tree to me!’
(2) Three coins for ten men to share,
Locked in a cage to carry and stare.
Three hundred for one woman instead,
Brought home to sit on a fine woven mat!
Sparkling evening stars,
Sparkling morning stars,
The night-bird calls the watch,
Roosters crowing loud.
Magpie-robins leave the nest,
Dawn breaks through the sky
