Traditional games for the August 17 race are usually more fun to play. As well as one way to introduce traditional games to millennials that have been used with digital entertainment.
The following is a list of Indonesian traditional games for the 17 Agustusan competition that can be preserved again to celebrate Indonesia’s independence day. Let’s go to the list!

1. Sack Race

Sack racing is a fast-paced contest but uses sacks. The father sack competition includes compulsory competitions in celebrations and competitions every 17 August in commemoration of Indonesia’s independence. Sack race competition initially using gunny sacks because gunny sacks are stronger than rice sacks. However, because burlap sacks are more difficult to obtain and are increasingly rare, now the sacks used are bags of rice.

How to play sack racing is very simple. Determine the starting line and finish line with a distance of about 10 meters or along with the volleyball court or badminton court. Sack race participants must enter the sack before the cue of sack racing begins. After the cue is given, participants can run or jump but still use the sack until they reach the finish line. The fastest participant to touch the finish line is the winner.

Sack racing games can be divided into several stages until the final round. The winners in the preliminary round are then pitted again in the final round.

2. Combat Race

Shell racing is a fast-running race but using sandals from a coconut shell. The coconut shell is perforated so that it forms like flip-flops and is given a rope that stays connected to both. Shell racing is one of the Indonesian traditional games that are rarely played by children of the current generation. This is the time to preserve the traditional game and introduce it back to the children that there is a traditional game that is more exciting than playing a tablet or a pocket.

How to play shell running is not much different from how to race sacks. The difference is only the media used. Determine the distance of the start and finish lines and participants must be more than one person or the number is even. The winners of the shell race are determined by the participants who have reached the finish line first using the coconut shell.

3. Stilts Racing

Stil racing is a speed race using stilts. ‘Egrang’ is a traditional game using bamboo. Stilts make the people who ride it higher. Stilts games include dexterity games because participants are required to master the balance of the body while riding the stilts. Interestingly because not all participants must master the stilts.

The way to play is to determine the starting line and finish line then compete quickly but using stilts. Participants who can cross the finish line faster by using stilts become the winner.

Read also: Traditional Indonesian Games of All Time

4. Clog Racing

Clog racing is a speed race using clogs. Bakian sandals are long wooden sandals that only use old rubber that must be used by two or three people and more. Difficulty in racing clogs because it requires group participants to walk and even run in a compact hand. Collaboration and group cohesiveness are demanded in clog racing.

Clog racing is unique and different from sack racing, shell racing, and stilts racing. Because only clogs racing must be played in groups. Usually, that makes clog racing funny because there must be a group that is not compact when walking. The right foot and left foot must move together and constantly until they reach the finish line. So, clog racing has a higher level of difficulty than other individual races.

5. Tug of Mine

Tug of war is one of the Indonesian traditional games which is one of the characteristics of the 17 Agustusan race besides eating crackers and sack races. A tug of war contest is a group competition that is followed by two different groups. One group has a minimum of three people and the maximum is unlimited as long as the rope is sufficient. How to play tug of war is very easy. The middle part of the rope is marked by using a cloth or rope. Then the two groups hold the ropes at different ends together. When the cue starts, the two groups must make every effort to pull the mine until the opponent is pulled out of the area. The winner is determined by the strongest group and successfully defeats the opposing group in one pull.

Tug of war is very interesting if the two groups have a balanced strength. Usually, the tug of war is divided into three rounds. The third round became the deciding round of victory. Because the tug-of-war contest is a group competition, usually the prizes provided are greater than the prize of climbing. When the cue starts, the two groups must make every effort to pull the mine until the opponent is pulled out of the area. The winner is determined by the strongest group and successfully defeats the opposing group in one pull.

Tug of war is very interesting if the two groups have a balanced strength. More interesting than three innings. The third round became the deciding round of victory. Because a tug-of-war contest is a group competition, usually the prizes provided are greater than those given by the climbing betel prizes taken by the group.

So ya, that’s our Top 5 games to celebrate Indonesian Independence Day. We hope you like that. 🙂