9 Types of Traditional Indonesian Games that Bring Back Childhood Nostalgia

Kapanlagi.com - Do you still remember the traditional games in Indonesia that were popular in the past? In this modern era, it is certainly more difficult to find traditional games. Many children then switch to using smartphones and even do not know traditional games. Besides being fun, traditional games are one of the cultural treasures owned by the Indonesian people. These traditional games are not only interesting and fun, but also have positive values in daily life such as fostering togetherness, cooperation, and so on.

However, it seems that traditional games are increasingly eroded by time. Now, most children switch to playing gadgets, online games which certainly have negative impacts on children's mental, social, and even health. Whereas for those of you who have experienced traditional games, of course, you want to reminisce and go back to childhood. Actually, there are many types of traditional games that are so exciting. Therefore, it doesn't hurt to take a look back at the series of traditional games as follows.

1. Marbles

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Marble games are one of the most enjoyable traditional games. Marble games are generally favored by boys. The rules of marble games vary, depending on the traditions in each region.

However, in general, the way to play marbles is by creating a track first and placing several marbles on it. Then, each player flicks the marbles with an agreed distance. If some marbles go out of the track, they will become the player's.

2. Stilts

Who still remembers the game of stilts? Stilt games are typically played using bamboo poles. This game requires special skills, as walking on stilts is not as easy as imagined. Therefore, for beginners, it is advisable to practice walking on stilts first. The way to play it is usually by having a running race on stilts. Exciting, isn't it?

3. Hide and Seek

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Hide and seek is one of the traditional games that is very popular. This game is equally exciting. Usually, hide and seek is played by more than two people. The way to play it is to assign one person as the seeker, while the others hide.

After the seeker counts to 10, they will search for the other players who are hiding. If the seeker is distracted, the other players must quickly go to the seeker's spot and shout 'inglo', and they can be considered the winner.

4. Gobak Sodor

Gobak sodor is one of the traditional games that was very popular in its time. This game is generally divided into two groups, each consisting of more than 2 people. After that, the players first create square boxes that will become the area for one of the groups.

In each group, there will be someone guarding the box or area, while the other group, called the attackers, must be able to pass through the area without touching the guarding group.

5. Bola Bekel

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The next traditional game is bola bekel. This game only requires a bouncing rubber ball and seeds made of copper/brass. The way to play it is by throwing the rubber ball and picking up the copper seeds one by one, and so on. This game can also be played by several people, taking turns. The higher level you pass, the more challenging the game will be.

6. Jump Rope

Jump rope is also a legendary traditional game loved by children in the past. Jump rope itself uses a tool in the form of rubber that is connected one by one until it becomes long. Although it seems easy, jumping rope also requires special skills. Flexibility and agility of the body are needed to pass through the rubber rope in this game. If you have difficulty playing it, you can become a beginner who can always be helped by your friends.

7. Engklek

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Engklek is also a traditional game with many fans. This game can be played by both girls and boys with a minimum of two people. The way to play it is by drawing boxes on the floor or ground. Each player must jump over the boxes alternately using one foot. If a player falls, they must mark the last box and place a stone.

8. Congklak

Congklak is a traditional game that is typically played with seashells and a congklak board with 16 holes. This game can only be played by two people. Determine who will go first with a suit, the winner will take all the seeds from one hole and fill the holes on the board one by one, from left to right until the seashells run out, and so on.

9. Gasing

Gasing is one of the traditional games that was popularly played by children in the 90s. Gasing itself is made of wood or plastic. This game is played to compete with each other's spinning tops. To be able to play gasing, each child must have one spinning top. Usually, spinning tops can be played on open ground or in a large pot. To determine the loser, it is the spinning top that stops the fastest.

Those are some types of traditional Indonesian games that were once popular in their time. Are you one of the people who have experienced the games mentioned above?

(kpl/dtm)