 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
THE LEGEND.- There is a legend that the game evolved from members of the royal Inca family and their court throwing gold pieces into the sacred lake TITIKAKA. In those days frogs were known for their magical powers, and the players hoped to attract one’s attention. The Incas believed that if a frog came to the surface and took a gold piece in its mouth, the player would be instantly awarded a wish and the frog would turn into solid gold. In honor of so many wishes coming true, a great, golden frog was made for all of the royalty to enjoy...Turning into an exciting game of suspense and dexterity where "El SAPU" (Frog in Quechua) was the main character in the game.
|
|
|
THE HISTORY.- As the time passed, is
believed, that the game was brought into Spain by the spanish
conquistadores and spread to all over Europe adopting diferent names. It
would seen to be safe bet that some of this similar games are still
played in bars and cafes all over Europe. It consists of a piece of
furniture with several holes in the top surface with a frog with its
mouth open,where players (minimum 2) attempt to throw heavy brass
medallions into the holes wich score very diferently from one to another
been the most difficult one the frog's mouth and the spinners. |
|
|
From the legend to FROGGIE XXI CENTURY.- |
|
|
During the years of the Spanish Empire, the idea of throwing coins to Frogs in lakes and rivers evolved into a board game. As the Empire expanded into Rio de la Plata ,now Argentina and created the viceroyalty there, some of the new criollos (the South American-born descendants of the ruling Spanish class) from Peru had a "Frog Box" in their possession when they traveled to Argentina. The Argentineans eventually added a big, shiny, brass sun on the back wall of the Frog box and this became the symbol of the new independence movement that started in Argentina. These more elaborate Frog games became a symbol of pride for the owners, just as today's new owners are proud of their Froggie games. When some of the spanish families returned to Spain, they showed the Frog game to the spanish society. But since the game did not contain any value in gold or silver, it did not catch the attention of the spanish royalty. However merchants traveling through France and England took this game with them. Examples of the Frog game have been traced to the coasts of Normandy in France, and to the Basque regions of northern Spain where the parts were made of cast iron. But the boards were not uniform: some contained three holes, and some were built with ten, twelve or even sixteen holes. The Frog and the medallions were made of different materials like iron, wood or brass. One form of the game was a hole on a board with a painted toad, used to catch coins from drunken soldiers at bars and pubs. Pubs throughout the British Commonwealth played this game, eventually called "Toad in the Hole." Another form of the game was a flat board with holes and a wooden Frog figure standing in the middle. But these wooden figures did not last very long and eventually led to more ornamental figures made of brass and iron.Today, the standard official Frog board has twenty holes with a shiny brass Frog 3 spinners and 10 brass medallions. The Frog games built by local artisans in Lima, the capital of Peru, are the most common design in the world. They are becoming the new entertainment in pubs, clubs and picnic areas and there are even local clubs around Lima that have leagues for families as well as competitions for dedicated players. Playing the game creates a friendly atmosphere with beer and good food. This document does not intend to be the absolute truth about the history of the Froggie game, but, We are continiouslly serching for new info. Any further information sent to us will be greatly appreciated. All material submitted to this web site remains the property of Froggie La grenouille ® for the sole purpose of promoting this very exciting, entertaining and ancient game. |
| Froggie- La grenouille ® | |
 |
Import-Export Inc.
2008-2010