NCERT Class 4 English Santoor: Chapter 9 — Hekko
NCERT Class 4 English Santoor Chapter 9, 'Hekko,' introduces a folk story and game from Nagaland. 'Hekko' translates to 'Challenging the tiger,' originating from a story about humans ('Aami') and tigers ('Aakho') debating superiority. The chapter explains that Hekko is now a popular team game in the Mokokchung district, played between two teams, Aakho and Aami, each with 11 players. A toss determines which team is designated Aami and which is Aakho. This game is used to identify the strongest individuals in the village. The chapter provides a brief historical context and the current format of the game, highlighting its cultural significance in Nagaland and its role in community identification.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 4 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Santoor |
| Chapter | Chapter 9 — Hekko |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 1 minute |
| Word count | 147 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the meaning of 'Hekko' and its origin.
- Learn about the folk story involving humans and tigers.
- Identify Hekko as a traditional game from Nagaland.
- Describe the current format of the Hekko game, including teams and players.
- Recognize the significance of the game in identifying village strength.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hek | to challenge |
| ko | tiger |
| Hekko | Challenging the tiger |
| folk story | a traditional story passed down through generations |
| superiority | the state of being better than others |
| disagreement | a difference of opinion |
| district | an administrative division of a state or country |
| presently | currently; at the present time |
| identified | recognized or established the identity of |
| toss | a game of chance in which a coin is thrown up in the air and caught, the result being decided by whether a head or tail is uppermost |
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Practice questions
- What does the word 'Hekko' mean? Answer: 'Hekko' means 'Challenging the tiger'.
- Where is the game Hekko played? Answer: The game Hekko is played in the Mokokchung district of Nagaland.
- What are the two teams called in the game Hekko? Answer: The two teams are called Aakho and Aami.
- How many players are there in each team? Answer: There are 11 players in each team.
- What is the purpose of the game Hekko in the village? Answer: The game is used to identify the strongest people in the village.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of 'Hekko'?
'Hekko' is a word from Nagaland that means 'Challenging the tiger'.
What is the origin of the Hekko game?
The Hekko game originates from a folk story in Nagaland about a disagreement between humans ('Aami') and tigers ('Aakho') regarding their superiority.
Where is the Hekko game played today?
Hekko is presently played as a team game in the Mokokchung district of Nagaland.
How many players participate in a Hekko game?
There are 11 players in each of the two teams participating in a Hekko game.
What is the significance of the Hekko game for the village community?
The Hekko game is used to identify the strongest people within the village.
How are the teams 'Aakho' and 'Aami' decided?
A toss before the game decides which team will be called Aami and which will be called Aakho.
Related resources
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Topics covered
NCERT Class 4 English — Santoor — Chapter 9 — Hekko. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.