Play the Caste System

I know this is a highly unconventional family fun night game, but it really has value. We are currently studying India by using Sonlight's online FREE Passport to India video series that takes you on a 10 day journey through India to learn about their culture. You get a sneak peak into Hinduism, their architecture, their dress, their daily lives, the Caste System and more. Your children will know so much about this country and all while sitting in the comfort of their home.

We decided to participate in a suggested game where your family members each draw a card. Each card indicates the system that they were born into and they get to "live it out" for one day.
Make 5 cards. If you have more in your family, you can make duplicates. If you have less, be sure to have the highest and lowest caste system represented.

---The smallest and most powerful group are the Brahmins. This caste is made up of  Hindu priests and
religious leaders.
--- Kshatriya caste are warriors and rulers.
---The Vaisya caste include merchants, farmers and artisans.
---The lowest caste are the Sudras, and do hard work and manual labor.
---Untouchables are not even in the caste system because they are considered beneath humans. This is where the term "Outcast" comes from. They do sanitation work with their hands, carry brooms behind their backs to sweep up their "unclean" footprints and are living in the most impoverished areas of India.  They are also considered spiritually unclean. Today, the untouchables are referred to as Dalits which means "crushed, broken".  Though it's against the law to treat people in such a way, it is still practiced somewhat.

Here's the main idea: Draw a card and pretend to be in that caste. If it is too difficult for one person to be the Untouchable the whole day, set a time limit and then redraw your cards. This way everyone knows what it is like.

We are playing this today. My kids are having a great time. When we originally drew the cards, my son "Dahalo" received the Untouchable card. He panicked and my daughter "Embu" volunteered to leave her Brahmin (highest) status and take his. (Though this would never happen in India, it was a terrific example of what Jesus did for us when He forsook His high place as King to become low and make a way for us who are all unworthy of God's presence, to be considered worthy now by Christ's sacrifice.) I love how God set us up for that lesson to made so clear.

"Ameru" is the Vaisya caste and I am the Kshatriya caste. "Luo" is just sort of floating between them since he is three. He likes bossing his sister around. Embu has cleaned the toilets, made everyone snacks, cleaned Dahalo's room and done Ameru's chores. I have cleaned the kitchen as Dahalo commanded and emptied trash baskets. My husband received the Sudras caste and he is doing that anyway at work. HA!
We are having fun, but the real value is learning to empathize and to see the need to pray for the people of India. My heart is so stirred for them. We as Christians have such a message of hope for them. They are loved by the one true God. They are valued enough, so much that Jesus paid their price for their sins. He sees no difference in their caste. What amazing news that would be for the Dalits. They are indeed touchable, lovable and worthwhile!

Here is a picture of Embu playing the Dalit. Notice the broom behind her back, sweeping her footsteps up.

Untouchable for one day.