Strategic Structures in Armenian Folk Games: Ethnographic Modeling Through Nash Theory
Strategic Structures in Armenian Folk Games: Ethnographic Modeling Through Nash Theory

Summary/Abstract: This article explores the structural and symbolic dimensions of Armenian folk games by integrating ethnographic field data with strategic modeling inspired by Nash equilibrium theory. Drawing on fieldwork conducted between 2009 and 2024, as well as comparative historical analysis, the study examines the internal logic, symbolic function and decision-making processes embedded in traditional games. Utilizing structural game theory, the article proposes a three-phase model – preparation, game process and outcome – to analyze how competitive strategies and randomness coalesce into a cohesive cultural system. The research specifically addresses the transitional forms from ritual to play (e.g. the “Nuri” doll tradition), distinguishing them through the predictability of the outcome. This interdisciplinary synthesis between symbolic anthropology and mathematical logic offers a novel framework for understanding folk games as complex structures embodying social roles and symbolic equilibrium.

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