The Spanish Game of the the Goose.

[RENSHAW]

Last night I was pontificating about the Camino Frances and San Bol came to mind. Years ago San Bol had a version of 'Snakes and Ladders' game painted on the walls outside, The goose featured quite frequently. At first I thought it had some sort of Pagan like origins but then I was treated to a far more detailed progressive version painted on all four walls of the dining room at the Parroquial albergue in Logróno.
So I dived on to the net and found that the origins may lie in the recognition of the Templars. Even Puente la Reina has a role in the board game which became more popular than chess at one stage . The oldest known example seems to be a game on a wooden board dating from around 1640. By 1880 the game had become popular with all ages.
I have seen a few versions of the game that are available today including a card game.
I thought it would be an interesting 'share' but there is a lot of info that I have omitted should members wish to delve a little deeper? '

 

[goldie from aus]

The history of The Game of the Goose is very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

 

[Icacos]

cafe neandertal - Google Search

Some time ago, I read Café Neandertal: Excavating Our Past on One of Europe’s Most Ancient Places, by Beebe Bahrami. I can’t remember where I heard about this book; it might have been right here on the forum. The author is an anthropologist and travel writer and, if I recall correctly, she deals with the significance of the goose in that part of the world.

 

[JabbaPapa]

The modern version has a 16th Century Florentine origin, but the game is claimed to have its origins in Ancient Greece. It's interesting that this spiritual journey game has spread geographically along the Mediterranean Greek, Roman, and Compostelan Camino routes ...

Currently, it is more popular in France than elsewhere. I had outgrown it by the time we moved here, but I can remember younger children playing it at the time.

 

[Kathar1na]

It is funny that is called the Spanish Game of the Goose in the thread title. One might as well call it the Italian Game, or the French Game or in fact the Greek Game.

We had a board for the Game of the Goose as children and nobody associated it with the Way to Compostela or the Templars. I happen to see that there is currently an exposition about the game in a small museum in Epinal. There is a folder about their exhibition with a chapter about the Game of the Goose that is quite nice, see https://museedelimage.fr/telechargement/presse/MIE_dossier_presse_faitsdivers_jeudeloie.pdf (in French, it starts on page 9). Again, no mention of the Way to Compostela let alone the Templars.

Interestingly, the text says that when the game became so popular in the 17th century, it was marketed with a reference to Greece to give it an aura of mystery and ancient prestige. Also interesting: It became so popular and spread through France to England, Spain and the Low Countries because it got commercialised with the board design printed even just on paper, in addition to more luxurious support material of course. Technological progress, so much is always due to technological progress …

The text also mentions that the symbolic reputation of the goose varies - it can be low or high depending on the cultural context. Some more about this here where posters say how geese are associated with negative traits in a number of European languages: https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/a-stupid-goose.1269653/

 

[Kathar1na]

there is a lot of info that I have omitted should members wish to delve a little deeper?

Here is something I would be really interested to know: At which point in time did the Game of the Goose become associated with the Camino Francés and or even with the Templars? Is there any proper research work about this and not just popular literature and guidebooks?

For example, was it before or a little after 1312 when the Templar order ceased operations? In the 1600s when the game became popular, first in aristocratic circles and then at all levels of society? In the 19th century when Galician scholars started to research and publish about the medieval history of the pilgrimage to Santiago? Or towards the end of the 20th century when Camino walking became popular? My money is on the latter.

 

[Beebe]

cafe neandertal - Google Search

Some time ago, I read Café Neandertal: Excavating Our Past on One of Europe’s Most Ancient Places, by Beebe Bahrami. I can’t remember where I heard about this book; it might have been right here on the forum. The author is an anthropologist and travel writer and, if I recall correctly, she deals with the significance of the goose in that part of the world.

Thanks for mentioning my books. I think you may be thinking of The Way of the Wild Goose where I devote the whole book, and three pilgrimages in France and Spain, to discovering why the goose and the game of the goose are connected to the Camino.

https://www.amazon.com/Way-Wild-Goose-Pilgrimages-Following/dp/1948626632?tag=casaivar02-20

I also go into it in parts of my guidebook, Moon Camino de Santiago, wherever the goose, including the juego de la oca square in Logroño, appear on the Camino francés.

https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Camino-Santiago-Historic-Villages/dp/1640496084?tag=casaivar02-20

That inlaid board game in Logroño was based largely on the idea of local parish priest Father Ojeda, who wanted us to know that the Camino and the game of the goose were metaphors for a deeper spiritual journey in life.

 

[Icacos]

Thanks for mentioning my books. I think you may be thinking of The Way of the Wild Goose where I devote the whole book, and three pilgrimages in France and Spain, to discovering why the goose and the game of the goose are connected to the Camino.

https://www.amazon.com/Way-Wild-Goose-Pilgrimages-Following/dp/1948626632?tag=casaivar02-20

I also go into it in parts of my guidebook, Moon Camino de Santiago, wherever the goose, including the juego de la oca square in Logroño, appear on the Camino francés.

https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Camino-Santiago-Historic-Villages/dp/1640496084?tag=casaivar02-20

That inlaid board game in Logroño was based largely on the idea of local parish priest Father Ojeda, who wanted us to know that the Camino and the game of the goose were metaphors for a deeper spiritual journey in life.

I’m delighted to make this connection @Beebe. And thanks for correcting me on The Way of the Wild Goose. I keep, or try to keep, a record of all the books I read, but I obviously missed recording that one. And who could give a better synopsis of one’s books than the author herself!

I wish you all the best, and many buen caminos.

 

[Jaime Carrollo]

I think Cafe Neanderthal is your best work, Beebe. But I have only just started W of the Goose.

 

[rojasa]

To the OP: The Way of the Goose is a wonderful read! Highly recommend it as a resource on this topic. I just finished it last month; took copious notes for future reference and, hopefully, pilgrimages. Beebe, I didn’t know you were on the forum and I’m thrilled to be able to rave about this work “within your earshot.” Looking forward to Cafe Neanderthal next…

 

[Kathar1na]

I wonder whether esoteric narratives about goose foot symbols, the board game “Juego de la Oca“ and the Camino de Santiago were popularised by the 1999 TV miniseries “Camino de Santiago”. Anthony Quinn had a role in it. Not your typical feel-good Camino movie. I think I may have watched it on YouTube but can’t remember much.

El juego de la oca

En una de las escenas del primer capítulo de Camino de Santiago, un personaje dice: "Es una buena ocasión de sacar beneficios del Xacobeo". Eso, sin e

elpais.com

 

[Beebe]

I’m delighted to make this connection @Beebe. And thanks for correcting me on The Way of the Wild Goose. I keep, or try to keep, a record of all the books I read, but I obviously missed recording that one. And who could give a better synopsis of one’s books than the author herself!

I wish you all the best, and many buen caminos.

Thank you Icacos! Wishing you all the best y many buen caminos too!

 

[Beebe]

I think Cafe Neanderthal is your best work, Beebe. But I have only just started W of the Goose.

Thank you Jaime! I really hope you enjoy The Way of the Wild Goose, too.

 

[Beebe]

To the OP: The Way of the Goose is a wonderful read! Highly recommend it as a resource on this topic. I just finished it last month; took copious notes for future reference and, hopefully, pilgrimages. Beebe, I didn’t know you were on the forum and I’m thrilled to be able to rave about this work “within your earshot.” Looking forward to Cafe Neanderthal next…

Mil gracias, Rojasa! What joy to read of your experience and thank you.

 

[France25]

It is funny that is called the Spanish Game of the Goose in the thread title. One might as well call it the Italian Game, or the French Game or in fact the Greek Game.

We had a board for the Game of the Goose as children and nobody associated it with the Way to Compostela or the Templars. I happen to see that there is currently an exposition about the game in a small museum in Epinal. There is a folder about their exhibition with a chapter about the Game of the Goose that is quite nice, see https://museedelimage.fr/telechargement/presse/MIE_dossier_presse_faitsdivers_jeudeloie.pdf (in French, it starts on page 9). Again, no mention of the Way to Compostela let alone the Templars.

Interestingly, the text says that when the game became so popular in the 17th century, it was marketed with a reference to Greece to give it an aura of mystery and ancient prestige. Also interesting: It became so popular and spread through France to England, Spain and the Low Countries because it got commercialised with the board design printed even just on paper, in addition to more luxurious support material of course. Technological progress, so much is always due to technological progress … Hello. I also played this game and spent a lot of time playing the game. However, at the moment, I am leaning towards online casinos. In my opinion, this is a more interesting and exciting process. First of all, I appreciate the opportunity to get excitement and entertainment without leaving home. And online casinos like https://topcasinosreviews.in/casino/bc-game/ provide a wide range of gambling games that can be enjoyed at any convenient time. This allows you to save time and money that could be spent on traveling to real casinos or purchasing gaming consoles and computers.

It`s interesting)