Chapter 9 of 12
Chapter 9: Hekko
Fascinating Indigenous Folk Game of Nagaland: Man vs. Tiger Strategy & Human Chain Defense | CBSE Session 2026–27
Core Pedagogical Competencies & Concepts
- Cultural heritage of Nagaland and its rich tradition of indigenous community games.
- The linguistic root of 'Hekko': 'Hek' (to challenge) and 'Ko' (the tiger).
- Two opposing teams: 'Aami' (The Humans / Man) and 'Aakho' (The Tigers).
- Field setup: Eleven players in each team defending an inner circle through human chains.
- The word 'Joko' (I surrender) and values of fair play, agility, and communal joy.
All Textbook Exercises & In-Text Tasks (14 Questions)
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Q1
Let us Think • Comprehension
What does the word 'Hekko' literally mean, and from which Indian state does this folk game originate?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
The word 'Hekko' literally translates to 'Challenging the Tiger'. It is derived from the indigenous Naga roots 'Hek' (meaning to challenge) and 'Ko' (meaning tiger).
This thrilling traditional folk game originates from the northeastern state of Nagaland.
This thrilling traditional folk game originates from the northeastern state of Nagaland.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Translates 'Challenging the Tiger' ('Hek' = challenge, 'Ko' = tiger)
1.5 M
Identifies origin from Nagaland
1.5 M
Q2
Let us Think • Comprehension
What are the two competing teams called in Hekko, and how many players participate on each side?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
The two competing teams in Hekko are:
1. Aami: Representing 'Man' (Humans).
2. Aakho: Representing the 'Tiger'.
Each team consists of exactly eleven (11) players.
1. Aami: Representing 'Man' (Humans).
2. Aakho: Representing the 'Tiger'.
Each team consists of exactly eleven (11) players.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Identifies Aami (Man) and Aakho (Tiger)
1.0 M
Specifies 11 players per team
1.0 M
Q3
Let us Think • Comprehension
How do the players of the Aami team defend their circle? What must an Aakho player say when caught?
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Defense Strategy: The eleven players of the Aami team stand inside a large marked circular ring, link their hands tightly to form a defensive human chain, and coordinate their steps to block Aakho players from entering or pushing them out.
When Caught: When an attacking Aakho player steps into the circle and is tagged or encircled by the Aami defenders, he must loudly say 'Joko' (which means 'I surrender') to acknowledge capture.
When Caught: When an attacking Aakho player steps into the circle and is tagged or encircled by the Aami defenders, he must loudly say 'Joko' (which means 'I surrender') to acknowledge capture.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Explains linked-hand human chain defense inside ring
1.5 M
Identifies surrender code 'Joko'
1.5 M
Q4
Let us Think • Think & Discuss
If you were playing Hekko, which team would you choose to join—Aami or Aakho? Give reasons based on team strategy.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
If given the choice, I would prefer to join the Aami team.
Reasons: The Aami team requires intense collective coordination, interlocking communication, and mutual trust to maintain an unbroken human chain. While the tiger (Aakho) attacks as an individual runner, the Aami defenders prove that human solidarity and organized unity can overcome raw individual strength.
Reasons: The Aami team requires intense collective coordination, interlocking communication, and mutual trust to maintain an unbroken human chain. While the tiger (Aakho) attacks as an individual runner, the Aami defenders prove that human solidarity and organized unity can overcome raw individual strength.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear team preference stated
1.0 M
Strategic justification highlighting teamwork versus solo agility
2.0 M
Q5
Reading is Fun • Textual Understanding
In Chapter 9 ('Hekko'), what is the central theme of the story/poem, and what challenges did the main character encounter?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Theme and Challenges:
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
The chapter highlights courage, curiosity, and creative problem-solving. The characters encounter an unexpected hurdle and successfully overcome it through teamwork, empathy, and active observation.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Central theme explained
1 M
Challenge and resolution described
1 M
Q6
Talk Time • Speaking Skills
Discuss in your classroom: If you faced a similar situation to that in 'Hekko', how would you handle it?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Model Response:
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
I would stay calm, discuss ideas with my friends or teachers, and break the difficult task into smaller manageable steps instead of panicking.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Thoughtful practical response
2 M
Q7
Word Building • Prefixes & Suffixes
Add suitable prefixes (un-, dis-, im-) or suffixes (-ful, -less) to create new words:
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
[2 Marks]
(a) Happy → ___
(b) Possible → ___
(c) Care → ___
(d) Agree → ___.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Word Formation:
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
• (a) Happy + un- = Unhappy
• (b) Possible + im- = Impossible
• (c) Care + -ful / -less = Careful / Careless
• (d) Agree + dis- = Disagree.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 4 word formations correct
2 M
Q8
Let us Listen • Sound Identification
Identify words in 'Hekko' that have silent letters (e.g. 'k' in knight, 'w' in write). List three examples.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Silent Letter Words:
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
1. Know (silent 'k')
2. Listen (silent 't')
3. Doubt (silent 'b').
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Three valid words with silent letters identified
3 M
Q9
Grammar & Language • Adjectives & Degrees of Comparison
Complete the degrees of comparison:
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
[3 Marks]
(a) Fast — ___ — Fastest
(b) Bright — Brighter — ___
(c) Good — ___ — Best.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Degrees of Comparison:
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
• (a) Fast — Faster — Fastest
• (b) Bright — Brighter — Brightest
• (c) Good — Better — Best (irregular comparison).
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Faster, Brightest, Better correct
3 M
Q10
Let us Write • Paragraph Writing
Write a short 3-sentence paragraph describing the main setting of 'Hekko'.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Descriptive Paragraph:
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
The story takes place in a vibrant and welcoming neighbourhood filled with shady trees and lively courtyards. Children gather there every afternoon after completing their studies to share ideas and explore nature. The peaceful atmosphere creates an ideal background for discovery and lasting friendship.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear 3-sentence paragraph with rich descriptive vocabulary
3 M
Q11
Vocabulary • Contextual Synonyms
Find words in 'Hekko' that mean the same as: (a) Courageous (b) Tremendous (c) Promptly.
[3 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Synonyms:
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
• (a) Courageous — Brave / Bold.
• (b) Tremendous — Huge / Enormous.
• (c) Promptly — Quickly / Immediately.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
All 3 synonyms correct
3 M
Q12
Punctuation • Speech Marks (Direct Quotes)
Punctuate correctly using quotation marks: the teacher said children always remember to be kind to animals
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Punctuated Sentence:
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
The teacher said, "Children, always remember to be kind to animals."
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Capital letters, comma, quotation marks, full stop
2 M
Q13
Think & Reflect • Moral Value
What lifelong value or life skill does 'Hekko' impart to young learners?
[2 Marks]
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Value Imparted:
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
It teaches us honesty, self-discipline, and compassion. True success comes from dedicated hard work and respecting the feelings of others in our community.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
Clear life skill / moral explained
2 M
Q14
Review Questions • True or False
State True or False:
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
[3 Marks]
(a) Listening attentively is an essential part of good communication.
(b) In the English alphabet, every vowel always produces only one sound.
(c) A paragraph should revolve around a single central topic.
✅ Step-by-Step Solution & Working
Answers:
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
• (a) True: Listening is key to mutual understanding.
• (b) False: Vowels have short and long sounds (e.g. 'a' in cat vs 'a' in cake).
• (c) True: A coherent paragraph focuses on one core idea.
CBSE Step-by-Step Marking Scheme
True, False, True with explanations
3 M
🌟 NEP 2020 Competency-Based Case Study
Inter-State Tribal Games Carnival
During the National Youth Festival, students from Punjab and Kerala were taught Hekko by Naga student delegates. The visiting students quickly observed that Hekko shared defensive chain concepts with Kabaddi.
Analytical Task: Compare the defensive human chain in Hekko with the corner-chain tackling in Kabaddi. What does this demonstrate about the cultural unity of Indian games?
Evaluation & Model Answer:
Comparative Tactic: In both Hekko and Kabaddi, defenders hold hands in pairs or chains. Linking hands allows players to pivot around the attacker, generate collective pulling leverage, and prevent the raider/tiger from escaping back across the boundary line.
Cultural Unity: This structural similarity demonstrates that despite geographical distance and diverse languages, India's traditional games share universal core values of cooperative defense, strategic agility, and harmonious community play.
Cultural Unity: This structural similarity demonstrates that despite geographical distance and diverse languages, India's traditional games share universal core values of cooperative defense, strategic agility, and harmonious community play.
Rubric: 1 Mark for mechanical comparison of linked-hand chain leverage; 1 Mark for thematic unity across regional Indian games.