How to play Jonaki: Firefly Catching Game
- Choose 2, 3 or 4 children from Adrita, Anya, Ridha, Wasfia, Yazan and Safir, then choose which one you play. The others catch fireflies by themselves. Pick a night and press Start the night.
- Tap or click near a glowing firefly. Your child runs over and swings the net there. On a keyboard, use the arrow keys or WASD to walk and the space bar to swing.
- Fireflies blink on and off and drift around, and they shy away when you get close, so aim for the ones that are glowing and move quietly.
- Fill your jar before dawn to earn stars. Everyone has their own jar and the one with the most fireflies wears the crown at dawn. Golden fireflies are worth three, and catching several in a row builds a combo.
- The children are different ages, so they play differently. Anya (7) is the biggest and quickest. Adrita, Ridha and Safir (5) are a little slower. Wasfia (2½) and Yazan (1) are tiny, toddle along slowly and can only reach the low fireflies.
- Watch out for mosquitoes from Night 2. Swatting one costs you three seconds.
- Finish a night with at least one star to unlock the next night, which has more fireflies, a bigger goal and more mosquitoes.
Controls
Mouse or touch: tap where you want to swing the net. Keyboard: arrow keys or WASD to walk, Space to swing, P to pause.
Tips for catching more fireflies
- Watch a firefly for a moment. It lights up in a steady rhythm, so you can guess when it will glow again.
- Fireflies drift away from you, so tap slightly ahead of where they are heading instead of right on them.
- Stay near the middle of the yard so most of the fireflies are within reach.
- A combo lasts a few seconds, so go for the next firefly straight away to keep your score climbing.
- Golden fireflies are rare. Chase them first when you see one.
About the game
Jonaki is the Bangla word for a firefly. The game is set in a Bangladeshi village in the 1990s: a tin-shed house with a hurricane lantern on the verandah, a hand tube-well, a haystack, a pond with the moon in it and banana, betel nut and bamboo trees against the night sky.
Catching fireflies in a jar was a childhood joy on summer evenings in many villages. The scene is drawn entirely in your browser, and the crickets, frogs, owl and rooster are all synthesised sounds.
Frequently asked questions
How do you play the firefly catching game?
Tap or click near a glowing firefly and the child runs over and swings a hand net there. Catch enough fireflies to fill the jar before dawn to earn up to three stars.
What does Jonaki mean?
Jonaki is the Bangla word for a firefly. The game is set on a summer night in a Bangladeshi village in the 1990s.
Can I play Jonaki on a phone?
Yes. It is made for touch: you tap where you want to swing the net. It also works with a keyboard using the arrow keys or WASD and the space bar. Landscape orientation gives you the biggest view.
Who are the children in Jonaki?
Adrita (5), Anya (7), Ridha (5), Wasfia (2½), Yazan (1) and Safir (5). You pick two to four of them and play one yourself. The others catch fireflies on their own, and how fast and how well they do depends on their age.
Is Jonaki free?
It is free, needs no download or signup and runs in your browser. Your best result for each night is saved on your own device.
Why do the fireflies move away from me?
Like real fireflies they are shy. They drift away when the child gets close, so move calmly, aim for the glowing ones and tap slightly ahead of where they are heading.