A Study of Relationship between Native and Local Games on Cultural and Social Identity of the Citizens of Khuzestan Province

Native and local games symbolize a socio-cultural feature shaped by the environmental conditions and ethnic beliefs of this country. In this applied study, data was collected electronically. The statistical population included individuals aged 17 to 65 residing in Khuzestan Province, from whom a sample of n=384 was selected using Cochran's formula. Data was gathered using a self-administered 14-item questionnaire on native and local games, the 29-item standardized Taheri Cultural Identity Questionnaire (2013), and the 20-item Safarinia and Roshan Social Identity Questionnaire (2011), with a reliability coefficient of 0.88. Data analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling. The findings showed that all items (except for items 3, 32, and 46), had a factor loading above 0.4, indicating its appropriateness. Additionally, for all items, except the above three, t-value was above 1.96, indicating their significant effect at a 95% CI. This suggests that native and local games have a positive and significant effect on the cultural and social identity of citizens. Thus, these traditional games, as a valuable cultural heritage, can play a unique role in revitalizing the cultural and social identity of various ethnic groups in the province. In fact, the sustained and strategic attention of relevant organizations to these games can promote health, productivity, and protect society from identity crises, which are manifesting as cultural and generational conflicts.