Self-limitation in play could have an important evolutionary function, according to various studies with monkeys, deer, whales, and rats.
The game begins with a ‘chicken‘ having its eyes covered with a handkerchief, while the other participants form a circle around it, hand in hand. They then ask the ‘chicken’ what it has lost, to which it responds with ‘a needle and thimble‘. The players spin the ‘chicken’ around three times, and it then attempts to catch someone and guess their identity by touch. The game, known as ‘blind man’s buff’ in England, ‘kanamachi’ in Bangladesh, and ‘kola onye tara gi okpo’ in Nigeria, has been played globally for centuries and is depicted in various historical artworks. The act of blindfolding in games is universal, even among primates. Alyse Cunningham first documented this behaviour in 1921 with a gorilla named John Daniell. Since then, similar behaviour has been observed among all great apes and monkeys. A recent study found that macaques in Bali use coconut shells to cover their eyes while playing. The study suggests that such behaviour could be a form of self- restriction in play, a common occurrence among animals. This behaviour serves multiple functions, including balancing social interactions and testing physical capabilities. A 2022 study on belugas in SeaWorld Texas also noted similar self-restrictive behaviour. Humans have also invented countless games based on self-restriction, including hopscotch, sack races, and football. The prevalence of self-restriction in animals’ play suggests it has an important evolutionary function. Researchers from the University of Prague propose the «training for the unexpected» hypothesis, which suggests animals create challenging situations in a safe context to gradually develop the ability to manage unexpected events, both physically and emotionally. Self-restrictive games, like normal games, enhance the nervous system’s control over muscles and coordination, stimulate emotional and cognitive functions, and may make animals better equipped to handle stressful situations by improving brain areas responsible for executive functions and emotional regulation during development.
