The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Hand game played by African-American Children

Captain says shoo!

Submitter comment: Two or more can play this game. At the beginning
of the game players determine who is ODD or EVEN,
the choice is up to each player. Players stand in a circle
with both hands behind their backs and as they say together
"Captain says shoo" they draw out their fists with a
random numbers of fingers pointing out or none. Then all
pointed fingers are counted odd, even, odd, even, odd, even,
etc. The winner is determined by the final count. If it
is even, then all players who chose to be even win. The
others are eliminated from the game until it is down to one
player.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1961