Erbil – The sound of dice striking the backgammon board is still present in a number of Erbil’s cafés, despite the widespread proliferation of smartphones and digital games that have transformed young people’s leisure habits.
Backgammon is considered one of the oldest games in the world, with historical sources indicating that its roots extend back thousands of years, with similar variants found in the civilizations of Mesopotamia and Persia, before it spread across vast regions of the Middle East and Europe.
During a field tour of several cafés, Hiwa Ahmed (27 years old) said that backgammon gives him the opportunity to sit with his friends away from the distractions of phones, adding: “The game is not just entertainment; it brings us together and creates an atmosphere of competition and direct conversation.”
As for Mohammed Karim (22 years old), he believes that most young people today spend longer hours on their phones, but he makes a point of playing backgammon whenever the chance arises, because it offers him a different kind of enjoyment that electronic games do not provide.
For his part, the owner of one of the cafés in Erbil explained that backgammon still enjoys clear popularity, especially during evening hours, noting that customers of various ages prefer it for the social and competitive atmosphere it provides.
Specialists opine that traditional games, including backgammon, contribute to the development of thinking, concentration, and decision-making skills, alongside their role in enhancing direct interpersonal communication, at a time when screens have become an integral part of daily life.
Despite the significant shift in entertainment habits, backgammon continues to hold its place among many, as part of folk heritage and a means that combines enjoyment with human connection, thus remaining a testament to the fact that some games never lose their value over time.
Note: This text is translated from the original Arabic version… Read the Arabic version:Click here
