Mheibes

Mheibes (Arabic: محيبس) is a traditional game involving two teams. It is mostly played in the Arab Mashriq, and specifically in Iraq. It has similarities to other games involving an object hidden in the hand, including the Native American Handgame, the Welsh Tippit and the English game Up Jenkins.

The word Mheibes is a cognate of the word mihbes or mehbis (Arabic: محبس), which means ring. Its historical origins are unclear, but it is thought to go back to at least the 1600s.^[1] The rules most common in current use coalesced during the 1990s.^[2] Public and organised play was suppressed in some regions of Iraq under ISIL, but has seen a resurgence in the years since.^[3]

Traditionally it is played during Ramadan, with games starting in the evening and continuing into the night. Only men play in competitive leagues, but informal games sometimes include women,^[3] and in 2024 the Baghdadi Museum hosted a women's match.^[2]