African Symbols Game

In this African symbols game you are, apparently, on a secret mission with one objective, to gather evidence leading to the disclosure of a large African smuggling organisation. Quite why we need to know that we're not sure, but here's the game: You are presented with a room full of African symbols and artefacts. and in each picture you have to identify the hidden symbols ... against the clock. Solve each level in time and you progress through the game, run out of time and you'll need to start again. Unlucky.

African symbols are often used to decorate the human body in the form of tattoos. Although not widespread because tattoos do not show well on dark skin, the application of symbols on the skin has artistic and cultural significance especially for young Africa girls where placing symbols on the body was not only seen as an act of beautification but a mark of the passage of life most often done to recognise the onset of puberty and childbirth. Symbols placed on the female belly were also seen as alluring to men.

This practise of applying African symbols to the body can be traced back to the mummified body of Amunet, a priestess of the Goddess Hathor, who lived between 2160-1994 BC. Her symbols were believed to represent fertility whilst early symbols on men reflected worship of sun gods.

The significance of African symbols on the skin for boys and men is slightly different. Traditionally scars on the body were an indication of bravery and toughness, a life hardened by battle. Converting these scars into more exotic designs demonstrated a greater strength in the face of daily hardships. Even the placing of the symbols on the skin is seen as an act of courage with enduring the procedure without crying out respected, whilst showing pain seen as a mark of humiliation.

When you have completed this African symbols game, why not check out and play some of our other African games?