Have you ever felt bored while working on a very heavy task?, Or maybe your job is not finished? of course everyone has felt this. Then what do you do when you bored? Some people will respond with ways to play. However, unfortunately in this technological era not many people are thought to play traditional games, even to knowing the game is difficult, isn't it?
"What are the traditional game of Indonesia's?". That's what my brain thought in mind, curious about the interesting cultural richness of Indonesia. And from that thought, came my intention to visit the National Museum after school along with my friends. There is quite tiring journey towards starting up from Labschool Kebayoran School take the Metro Mini 72 Bus, then by bus Transjakarta(better known as Busway) up in front of the National Museum itself.
National Museum of the Republic of Indonesia is better known as Museum Gajah because there is a monument given by the king of Thailand in the front yard that became a symbol of this museum. The museum is located in central Jakarta, precisely on Jalan Merdeka Barat 12. The museum is collecting ancient artifacts found throughout Indonesia such as ancient statues, inscriptions, and other handicrafts. One of the handicrafts is Indonesian's Traditional Games.
Indonesian's Traditional Games
1. Congklak
Congklak is a kind of traditional game which is known by various names throughout indonesia. Usually in the game, similar shells are used as congklak's seed. Sometimes also used seeds from plants. Congklak have different names in different regions, in Malaysia, this game is better known by the name congklk and the term is also known in some areas in Sumatra with Malay culture. In Java, this game isbetter known by the name congklak, dakon, dhakon or dhakonan. Also in Lampung, the game is better known as "Dentuman Lamban" while in Sulawesi, the game is better known by the name mokaotan, maggaleceng,aggalacang and nogarata. In English, this game called Mancala. This game is one of my favorite games when i was in kindergarten, it was really nice to know and play this game. I think the game is arguably the game that trains your dexterity and accuracy in taking the shells and then release it in a different hole. If you put a shell in the wrong hole, then you will be exposed to penalties. Actually, i don't know what's the real punishment, but my sister and I agree to the punishment if one put a shell means it belongs to an enemy shell.
2. Gasing
Gasing are toys that can rotate on the shaft and balanced at some point. Gasing is the oldest toy found in various archaeological sites and still be recognizable. In addition to the toys of children and adults, also tops used for gambling and divination fate.Gasing can be divided into a top contest sounds, round fights and fights at. Most Gasing are made of wood, although often made of plastic, or other materials. Wood carved and shaped up to be part of a top agency. Strap tops are generally made of nylon, while the top rope traditionally made from tree bark. Top rope length varies depending on the length of the arms of people who play.
Gasing's movement based on the gyroscopic effect. Spinning tops are usually staggered for a few moments until the interaction of the feet (pivot) to the soil surface making it erect. After spinning tops upright for a while, angular momentum and gyroscopic effect is reduced little by little, until finally the body fell violently to the ground. Gasing is one of the traditional game of the archipelago, although the history of its spread is not known with certainty. In the region of Seven Islands (Natuna), Riau Islands, game top have existed long before the Dutch colonization. While in North Sulawesi, tops began to be known since the 1930s. The game is done by children and adults. Typically, performed in the courtyard of a house and a flat hard soil conditions. Gasing can be done in person or team with a varied number of players, according to the custom in their respective regions. Until now, Gasings are still very popular to do in some areas in Indonesia. Even residents in the islands Rian hold regular competitions. While in Demak, usually a Gasing played during the turn of the rainy season to dry season. Bengkulu community playing Gasings at the celebration of Islamic New Year, 1 Muharram. Unfortunately the game is not well known in the area where I live, only a few are played (more accurately preserve) these Gasing game.
Gasing's movement based on the gyroscopic effect. Spinning tops are usually staggered for a few moments until the interaction of the feet (pivot) to the soil surface making it erect. After spinning tops upright for a while, angular momentum and gyroscopic effect is reduced little by little, until finally the body fell violently to the ground. Gasing is one of the traditional game of the archipelago, although the history of its spread is not known with certainty. In the region of Seven Islands (Natuna), Riau Islands, game top have existed long before the Dutch colonization. While in North Sulawesi, tops began to be known since the 1930s. The game is done by children and adults. Typically, performed in the courtyard of a house and a flat hard soil conditions. Gasing can be done in person or team with a varied number of players, according to the custom in their respective regions. Until now, Gasings are still very popular to do in some areas in Indonesia. Even residents in the islands Rian hold regular competitions. While in Demak, usually a Gasing played during the turn of the rainy season to dry season. Bengkulu community playing Gasings at the celebration of Islamic New Year, 1 Muharram. Unfortunately the game is not well known in the area where I live, only a few are played (more accurately preserve) these Gasing game.
Kelereng (or in the Java language called nèkeran) is a small spherical toy made of glass, clay, or agate.The size of Kelereng is very diverse. Generally ½ inches (1.25 cm) from tip to tip. Kelereng can be played as a child's game, and sometimes collected, for purposes of nostalgia and aesthetic colors. This is a Legendary game that I think is still populist and popular among young children. Until now, this minute,and second, I still often see children playing marbles, or they used to say it a "gundu". I also not uncommon to see children who collected various kinds of Kelereng. Ranging from small to large, ranging from light to dark colors, ranging from the visible light and looks in general.
Egrang is a pole or rod used someone to stand in a certain distance above the ground. Walking Egrang is equipped with a ladder as a place to stand, or straps to be tied to the feet, for the purpose of running for a rise above the normal height. In the flood plains or beaches or unstable soil, buildings are often built on egrang to protect from being damaged by water, wave, or shifting soil. Egrang have been made for hundreds of years. There are several types of Egrang, Egrang Pegangan Egrang Pasak, Egrang drywall, and Egrang Pegas. In Indonesia, Egrang used to be played / competed at Indonesian Independence, August 17. Egrang with other versions also played at the ceremony of circumcision. This game is also a legendary game and is still often seen in the present, and some even play in the circus as an entertainment for the audience.
5. Galah Asin (Gobak Sodor)
Galasin, or gobak Sodor is a kind of game areas of Indonesia. This game is a group game that consists of two groups, where each team consists of 3-5 people. The essence of the game is facing the opponent can not pass through the line to the last line in back and forth, and to win the entire group should complete the process back and forth within a predetermined area of the field.
The game is usually played on the badminton court with reference lines that exist or can be by using arectangular field with a size of 9 x 4 m, divided into 6 sections. The boundary line of each part is usually marked with chalk. Group members who had a turn to keep the field is divided into two, namely members of the group who keep the line horizontal and vertical lines. For group members who have a duty to maintain the horizontal line, then they will try to hinder their opponents who are also trying to pass border which has been determined as a boundary-free. For group members who have a duty to maintain the vertical line (usually only one person), then this person has access to the entire vertical line is located in the middle of the field. This game is very exciting and extremely difficult because each person mustalways be on guard and ran as fast as possible if necessary to achieve victory.
In Makassar, this game called Main Asing. one player acts as a launcher (captain). this game is fun to train agility, strategy, speed, and ingenuity. This game could be a competition at school my sister at that time was the winner. Although I do not understand how to play this game that time, I still feel proud to have known this game.
Well This is the games that maybe in my opinion have been forgotten by some people in the technology or modern times. I also feel a little embarrassed if there is one of Indonesia typical game that I do not know.Thanks for the Republic of Indonesia National Museum (Museum Gajah) for helping me to better find out what Typical Traditional Games Indonesia. Although actually I still wonder, "Where Did the games come from?" Who is the creator of these games? "Maybe for the next time I'll explore more information on this Indonesian traditional games. It is unfortunate these games are rarely seen, or even never seen again. Hopefully this traditional game still exist in Indonesia, and only comes from Indonesia, not from other countries.
