Actually this game is called jwèt woslè.
woslè → from the french word 'osselets' means 'bonelets'
woslè → jacks
Jwèt woslè → game of jacks
jwe woslè (v.) → to play jacks
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| woslè |
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| woslè plastik |
This game probably entered Haiti via way of West Africa. But it goes way back to the Roman times. It is best played with original or synthetic ones.
The
woslè that I've used when I was a child were from goats.
This games has four cycles. The four cycles are named after the
four facets of the
woslè.
cycle 1 is called
do -named after the dorsal or convex part of the
woslè.
cycle 2 is called
kre - named after the ventral part (opposite the dorsal).
cycle 3 is called
i - named after the side of the
woslè which is flat.
cycle 4 is called
s - named after the side that has a pit and is curved like an s.
To play this game, you need five
woslè.
Throw all five woslè in the air and let them fall on the "playing field".
Pick one woslè that will become the leading one.
Throw the leading woslè in the air and reposition each of the woslè on the ground so that they show the "do" position, if they were not already in the "do" position. Reposition them one by one by throwing the leading woslè in the air, repositioning the woslè on the ground, and catching the leading woslè before it reaches the ground. Some people have strict rules about how many chances you get to reposition the woslè. The leading woslè must never fall on the ground. You loose your turn if that happens.
Playing the game
Say out loud: yon do! - You throw the leading woslè in the air and pick up each woslè one by one.
Say out loud: de do! - You throw all five woslè in the air and let them fall on the "playing field. You pick up the leading woslè, throw it in the air, reposition the remaining woslè to the "do" side. Then you throw the leading woslè in the air and pick up the remaining woslè two by two.
Say out loud: twa do! - You throw all five woslè in the air and let them fall on the "playing field. You pick up the leading woslè, throw it in the air, reposition the remaining woslè to the "do" side. Then you throw the leading woslè in the air and pick up three woslè together and then one.
Say out loud: kat do! - You throw all five woslè in the air and let them fall on the "playing field. You pick up the leading woslè, throw it in the air, reposition the remaining woslè to the "do" side. Then you throw the leading woslè in the air and pick up all four woslè together.
If any fall while you're picking them up, you loose you turn also.
Repeat the same cycle for
kre, i, and s. If you complete it without losing a turn, then you win a hand. Your opponent gets to play at this time.
I have added some images that I've found on google. I also found a site where you can find some woslè. It's
http://www.osselets.com/. Thanks.
