To buy entertainment for kids in Indonesia used to be quite simple and inexpensive. We could simply create one using natural materials or use none at all. Children of today, as time passing by, are now accustomed to spending their childhood in the comfort of high technology by smart gadgets. It’s becoming more and more common even in the rural areas to notice how the kids now left the conventional Indonesian games, exchanging them to the isolation of numerous game apps and sophisticated toys. Their distribution has now reached the middle to lower economic class that can be accessed through online shops, mobile phones, computers, etc. The live interaction is now shared through digital chat rooms and at some point, this modern invention has brought about a new definition on how we identify the ‘fun’ the former generations had in the past times.

Related Article: Top 5 Traditional Game Ideas for Indonesian Independence Day

Can you mention what are those traditional Indonesian games? Bali Villas R Us has collected a list of popular Indonesian games, the old ways in the following:

Bola Bekel

This game was adapted from the Netherlands “bikkelen”. As one of the Indonesia games, the Bekel set comprises a small ball with a few copper bikkels. Sometimes, the copper could be in the form of bottle caps, snail shells, or tiny rocks. It depends on what’s available.  Indonesian girls loved playing it. Bola bekel can train your brain and hand coordination.

In playing it, your hand will have to hold the complete set. When the first round starts, you drop everything meanwhile the ball bouncing once only. Catch the ball then throw it again in the air. At the same time, you can begin picking up the copper bikkels one by one within the time range of a one-time ball bounce. The next round continues when one has successfully collected all set. At this point, you need to repeat the procedures then turn over the bikkels without interrupting the position of other bikkels. When this round is done, carry on collecting 2 copper bikkels at once with similar procedures. The following rounds will have to grab 3, 4 copper bikkels at a time until you can finally gather all bikkles in one hand sweep.

The winner is the one who could complete the most sets.

Congklak

It requires two players, a board of 16 holes, and 98 small clamshells, beads, or grains. The player’s home indentations are at the end of the board. Congklak or dakon is a very strategic game. In order to be skilled at it will take regular practice. The aim is to place the clamshells equally in a clockwise motion to 14 holes (apart from the home indentations). Afterward, each player in his turn has to distribute the clamshells in each hole to the next holes and fill in his home indentation. Remember not to put the competitor’s home with the clamshells. Until you have no more clamshells to place, you can take the entire clamshells on the right side and claim them to your post.

The winner is the one with the most clamshells in his base.

Layang-Layang (Kite)

We can still find many kids playing one of these pastime favorite Indonesian games kites, especially during the windy season. Lately, this has become a trend and kite competition is annually celebrated on vast fields or beaches. People take pleasure in designing their own kites or in making them fly high to the sky. Not only kids, but adults also dig them.

Do you know that kites have distinctive characteristics in terms of their use?  In regular kite competitions, the adjudicators look up the size of the kites, their aesthetics, and the height they may reach. However, on a daily basis, if what you’re seeking is the enjoyment in flying it only, mostly the kite will be built-in with a tail to balance it. On the other hand, fighting kite has the objective to take over the opponent’s kite by cutting its string loose.

Ular Naga

“Ular naga panjangnya bukan kepalang

Menjalar-jalar selalu kian kemari

Umpan yang lezat itulah yang dicari

Ini dianya yang terbelakang.”

The above is the song the kids will chant when performing this game. This is a group game where two of the members will be guards raising and holding their hands assembling a hand roof. The rest will put their hands on their friends’ shoulders from the back and go past the guards. They sing along until the last line of the song and then the guard will put down their hands and trap one of the players and eliminate him/her from the line.

Kelereng (Marbles)

To pull off this game, the players will bring their marbles and form a circle on the ground. The size of the circle relies on the number of players joining the game. The point of this game is for each one to knock other opponents out by hitting their marbles outside the circle by a finger flick method. If the opponents run out of their marbles, they’re out of the game.

Which One Was Your Favorite Traditional Indonesian Games?

Actually, there are still many traditional Indonesian games that we haven’t yet covered. Discussing them indeed brings back memories. Share your recollection of Indonesian games below! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @balivillasrus. We are Bali Villas Management. Our services include villa marketing, exclusive marketing, villa management, and property sales. Contact us to learn more about our services at +62361 737238.