Varpa
Encyclopedia
Varpa is an old outdoor game
. The game dates back to the Viking Age
and survived in Gotland
together with several other medieval or Viking games.
The game can be described as a version of boules
but played with a flat and heavy thrower known as "varpa" instead of balls. These used to be well-shaped stones, but nowadays aluminium is more popular. Varpa is an old word which simply means "to throw".
Game
A game is structured playing, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool. Games are distinct from work, which is usually carried out for remuneration, and from art, which is more often an expression of aesthetic or ideological elements...
. The game dates back to the Viking Age
Viking Age
Viking Age is the term for the period in European history, especially Northern European and Scandinavian history, spanning the late 8th to 11th centuries. Scandinavian Vikings explored Europe by its oceans and rivers through trade and warfare. The Vikings also reached Iceland, Greenland,...
and survived in Gotland
Gotland
Gotland is a county, province, municipality and diocese of Sweden; it is Sweden's largest island and the largest island in the Baltic Sea. At 3,140 square kilometers in area, the region makes up less than one percent of Sweden's total land area...
together with several other medieval or Viking games.
The game can be described as a version of boules
Boules
Boules is a collective name for games played with metal balls.Two of the most played boule games are pétanque and boule lyonnaise. The aim of the game is to get large, heavy balls as close to the 'jack' as you can. It is very popular especially in France, but also Italy, where it may often be seen...
but played with a flat and heavy thrower known as "varpa" instead of balls. These used to be well-shaped stones, but nowadays aluminium is more popular. Varpa is an old word which simply means "to throw".