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Description

A team-building relay race inspired by famous Muslims from history who journeyed to Makkah to perform the pilgrimage (Hajj), the fifth pillar of Islam.

Resources

Bean bags
obstacles such as cones or small hurdles
Hoola hoops/baskets
Balloons or medium-large size soft balls
Tin cans or plastic cups
Board for keeping score
Image of Kaaba to indicate finish line (royalty free image provided below - image by Ekrem from pixabay)
Map of the route Mansa Musa travelled along can be found at https://caravans.library.northwestern.edu/tour/mansa-musas-hajj-to-mecca/ - an adapted version is attached.

Instructions

Part 1

Ask if any one in the group has performed umrah (lesser pilgrimage) or Hajj, or if they know anyone who has. How did they travel there? What preparations did they need to make for their journey? If they have never been, what expectations do they have about how easy or difficult the journey might be?

Read out the information about two famous travellers, Ibn Battuta and Mansa Musa, who performed Hajj and shared their incredible journeys which give us an insight into the efforts required for pilgrims before modern means of transport were invented. Show them a copy of the map to give an idea about how far they travelled and ask the Beavers about what survival skills travellers would have needed to survive the often perilous journey across different terrains and what dangers people might have faced (the true or false document can be used to facilitate this discussion or be used as a quiz).

Part 2

Now split the Beavers into teams of between 4-6 depending on resources available/number of young people. Explain that they will go through an obstacle course as a team to help them remember some of challenges that pilgrims, past and present might face, in a fun way. Explain that they have a few minutes to decide how they want to order themselves, if they wish, and if they want to choose a leader for their team. Explain what each part of the relay race entails before starting, with a demonstration so that everyone is clear on what needs to be done for each part.



1. Bean bag balance. The bean bags represent money/gold that travellers needed to take with them on journeys to buy any food or supplies on the journey and during their stay in Makkah. Each Beaver balances a bean bag on their head whilst navigating a winding path through cones. If a bean bag is dropped, they must pick it up and start from that spot.

2. Once all the Beavers have completed this, they should line up and try to knock over tins/cups that have been placed on a chair or table at a suitable distance. This represents them buying food and drink with their gold. For an additional challenge and extra points, an item can be placed further away representing charity given. Once all the bean bags have been used up the team moves on. Points are tallied according to how many items were successfully knocked down (can be done at the end).

3. Hurdles. Ask Beavers to carry a ball or balloon whilst they navigate the small hurdles. This represents their suitcase/bags they carry with them on their journey. Once everyone in their team has passed the hurdles they can move on to final section.

5. Camel race - wheelbarrow style, Beavers must decide who will be the camel and who will be the rider and race to the finish line (a picture of the Kaaba can be placed at the finish line). If there is an odd number of Beavers in a team, the last rider in a pair returns to be the camel for the remaining Beaver. Once the last Beaver in a team reaches Makkah, they have completed their journey!

Points awarded for: balancing a bean bag and not dropping it, reaching Makkah first, and for the team with the loudest cheers for their teammates.

After the activity. Ask the children how they felt completing the activities as a team rather than individually? Did their teams encouragement and cheering make a difference to how they felt? Was there any clear leader in their teams? The Beavers can be reminded that whether its hajj caravans in the past or modern day hajj groups, ensuring everyone stays together and helps each other out is part of our brotherhood and sisterhood in addition to being a way to keep people safe.

Tags

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Badge Links

• Health and Fitness - Agility
• Teamwork - Team game