One of the joys of visiting villages in rural Malaysia is watching traditional games. It is even better to participate in one of the games. Some of the simpler games children play come from nature, such as using red saga seeds as marbles, catching a wild spider to pit against another spider, walking on “stilts” made from coconut shells, and using gum seeds as conkers. However, there are many games that are also enthusiastically played by adults who often amaze viewers.
TOP HAIRSTYLE
The top spin generates excited whoops and whoops from spectators and players alike. It takes strength, skill, and physical dexterity to throw a top, which is the size of a frisbee and weighs up to five kilograms. The caps are normally of two popular designs. Gas jantung is heart shaped while gas uri is flattened in shape. There are two types of competitions: endurance and knockouts. In the endurance competition, the uri gasser is thrown and, once spun, it is caught with a small wooden paddle. It is then transferred to a small post and allowed to spin. The winner is the top that spins the longest; sometimes it can rotate for two hours. In a knockout competition, a player tries to hit another player’s top outside of a circle using his own top. The strings used to launch a top are different for each of its functions. To maximize your spin, the string is usually long and thin; while a top used for striking is usually spun on a short thick string. A master top spinner’s execution of a pitch is done with fluid yet powerful motions. The cups are often made from the merbau and afzella trees, and cup making requires great skill. Spinning competitions are often organized at the state, national, and international levels. Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand and Japan are among the enthusiastic participants in spinning competitions.
TO FLY KITES
Kite flying can be seen throughout the country, though it is most popular on the east coast, where farmers fly them in level paddy fields after harvest. A kite is usually 1.7 meters tall and 1.5 meters from tip to tip of its wing. The most popular shape of the kite is the crescent moon (wau bulan), although other shapes are also found, which are abstract versions of animals such as the cat, peacock, hawk, fish, eagle, and quail. A kite’s tail is decorated with tassels, while a bow is often attached to the neck. When the kite is flown, the bow produces a high-pitched buzz. The bow is simply a strip of ribbon stretched over a strip of bamboo. A kite is made from strips of bamboo and aluminum foil, and its artwork is often formalized out of tradition. For example, one required element in traditional design is to have a large central flower or “ibu” in the center of the kite; Furthermore, the vines must emanate from the base of the kite and connect logically.
Two types of kite flying competitions are in vogue: cutting and performance. In a cutting competition, a kite string is glazed with glass powder so that you can cut an opponent’s kite string and cause them to lose their flight. In a performance competition, judges select a winner based on the kite’s flying characteristics, such as a vertical launch and the maximum height reached.
PLAYING WITH UBI SLICE
In Kelantan state, after the rice harvest, villagers play rebana ubi as a popular pastime. A ubi slice is a giant drum measuring one meter in diameter and weighing 100 kg. It is made from a hollowed out log and is painted in bright colours. Bamboo sticks decorated with tinsel and flowers fan out from their center like the spokes of a bicycle. The drum produces a thunderous roll when struck with a stick. In a competition, players in traditional costumes compete in teams of six playing drums of different sizes. They often wear traditional robes and headdresses, adding to the joy and excitement of the event. They played the drums continuously for 30 minutes, producing complex rhythms in harmony. Judging is based on the complexity and consistency of the rhythm and synchronized movements of the players.
CONGKAK
Played by two people, the congkak has been around since the time of the Melaka Sultanate in the 15th century. The equipment used is a wooden board in the shape of a boat with two rows of holes (usually 12) and a large hole (rumah) at each end. Each player’s rumah is the large hole to the left. The holes are filled with rubber seeds (or marbles). The goal of each player is to move the seeds clockwise through the holes to their rumah while observing various rules of the game. The player who gets the most seeds in the rumah wins.
GALAH PANJANG
This game does not require any equipment. It is played by two teams of no less than 4 players on each team. A playing area consisting of a grid of six rectangles is required. A badminton court is an ideal location as the lines are already drawn. One team is the attacker while the other is the defender. The object of the game is for the attacking team to gradually enter the defending team’s area without being tagged by any member of the defending team. The “attack” can be done individually or in groups.
TARIK UPIH
The flower pod of the betel nut or nibong palm is used in this speed game. A team consists of one person sitting on the upih and another person pulling it. The team that crosses the designated finish line first is the winner.
SEPAK BULU AYAM
Literally meaning “kick chicken feathers,” this game requires only simple, inexpensive equipment. A nail is inserted through circular pieces of rubber 2 inches in diameter. Rubber pieces are typically cut from the inner tube of a bicycle tire. Five of the six chicken feathers are tied to the nail with ribbon or elastic band. The game can now begin! The object of the game is to kick the bulu ayam as many times as possible using only the top of the feet. Therefore, players can compete individually or as a team.
MAIN READING
This game requires only the metal rim of a bicycle wheel and a stick. Individuals or teams use the stick to roll the bicycle tire a predetermined distance. The winner is the player or team that completes the distance first.
