Svaika

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Svaika (Russian: Свайка, IPA: [ˈsvajkə], lit. 'marlinspike') is a throwing game that was a favorite of Russian lower-class men up to the 20th century. It is a game in which a marlinspike-like spear is thrown to land in the middle of a metal ring lying on the ground some distance away.[1] A tool for the game can weigh up to five pounds.

Men throwing marlinspike, about 1800

By one account of events, Tsarevich Dmitry died from a stab wound while he was playing this game, although this is disputed.[2]

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI