Indonesia is known for its diverse cultures, spread across all regions, ranging from dances and musical instruments to traditional houses and local foods. Among these many cultural heritages, traditional games are one of the traditions that need to be preserved.
Traditional games are those passed down by ancestors to a particular community. In Indonesia, these games have become a medium often used by local communities to strengthen bonds among people.
However, over time, the presence of various traditional games is gradually fading. To get to know various traditional games in Indonesia and their excitement, take a look at some of the list below!
20 Various Traditional Games in Indonesia that Must be Played with Friends and Family
Here are some recommended traditional games that you must try when gathering with friends and family:
1. Hide and Seek
Among traditional games, hide-and-seek is one of the easiest to play. To play hide and seek, one player must close their eyes and guard the base, while the other players must hide in a safe place.
After counting, the guard must find their friends who are hiding. If they successfully find another player, the guard must return to the base and touch it while saying the player's name.
2. Gobak Sodor
Gobak sodor is a traditional Javanese game often played by elementary school children during break time. To play this game, players are divided into 2 teams, each of which must guard its fortress.
The play area is rectangular and must be divided into several squares using vertical and horizontal lines. These lines serve as boundaries between territories as well as patrol paths for the guarding team.
In gobak sodor, if the attacking team reaches the opponent's fortress, they are considered to have won. However, if the attacking team comes into contact with the guarding team, the attacking team loses and must switch positions.
The attacking team can win if all its members successfully return to the starting line without being touched by the guarding team. Therefore, the attacking team needs to move as quickly as possible to avoid being tagged by the opponents.
3. Egrang
Egrang is a traditional game from Jakarta that uses bamboo poles as the main equipment. The bamboo poles are cut into two long sticks, with a divider in the middle to serve as footholds.
Interestingly, this game cannot be played by just anyone because it requires special skills. Therefore, practicing how to walk on egrang is a must before using them while walking.
Once you have mastered this tool, racing on egrang becomes an exciting competition to join. However, if you do not yet have a good balance, it is better to be accompanied by someone skilled in this game.
4. Congklak
Congklak is a traditional Indonesian game that is quite famous throughout the region. This game is played with seashells, also called congklak seeds, and a board with 16 holes.
Although it is limited to just two players, congklak is just as exciting as other games. To play congklak, both players must start with a rock-paper-scissors match; the winner takes all the seeds from one hole and then distributes them to the other holes until none remain.
When empty, the player will take seeds again from the last place they placed them. The game will end when one person has the most seeds in their holes, and that person is the winner.
5. Gundu (Marbles)
Gundu is a term for the traditional marble game. This game, which is more fun when played in a group, requires players to draw a square track and then place several marbles on it.
The way to play gundu is actually quite simple; you only need to flick your marble at your opponent's marble from the agreed distance. If you successfully hit the opponent's marble and make it go out of the track, that marble becomes yours.
6. Bekel Ball
Bekel ball is an exciting children's game, especially popular among girls. Although it seems simple, this game actually requires special skills, such as agility and accuracy.
One type of traditional game requires a bekel ball of an appropriate size and several bekel stones. The player must throw the bekel ball into the air and pick up the bekel stones in a specified number.
If they fail to pick them up, the game continues with the next player. Additionally, this game consists of several levels, where the person who lasts the longest or achieves the highest level will win.
7. Hopscotch
For a long time, hopscotch has been a popular traditional game that is still often played from one generation to another. Although it is more popular among girls, this game for 2–5 players can also be played by boys.
To play hopscotch, players must draw squares on the floor with chalk or another easily erasable marker. In addition, this game should preferably be played on a flat surface.
Nine squares must be drawn, starting with three vertical squares, connected with three horizontal squares, and then adding two vertical squares at the top. Besides that, there are other types of hopscotch patterns, such as the mountain, windmill, and L-shape.
Each player will then hop through the squares while throwing a stone in turns. If a player falls, they must mark the last square with the stone, then the next player continues the game.
8. Rubber Rope Jumping
Among the many options, the rubber rope jumping is one of the fun and exciting games to try.
Rubber rope jumping is usually played in groups, with two people holding the rope. The rope's height starts from the lowest and goes up to the highest, namely at waist level, chest level, and head level.
If a player fails to jump over the rope, they must take turns holding the rope. Usually, this jumping game is often played by girls.
While exciting, it cannot be denied that this game is quite tiring because you have to keep jumping continuously. To stay enthusiastic and not get easily tired while playing, make sure you have AQUA 600 ml ready.
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9. Ular Naga Panjang (Long Dragon Snake)
The long dragon snake game begins with a rock-paper-scissors match, where the two losers must serve as the gate. Meanwhile, the first player to win rock-paper-scissors becomes the dragon's head, positioned at the front, followed by the other players.
Next, the dragon snake enters the gate while singing: “The dragon snake is incredibly long. Slithering back and forth constantly. That tasty bait is what it seeks. Now it is the one that is left behind.” After the song ends, the gates quickly catch the player.
The player who is caught must choose which gate he or she wants to follow until the dragon snake is gone. In the end, the gate that has the fewest children must chase the opponents to take other players, provided that no one lets go of their hold.
10. Dam-Daman
Dam-daman is a traditional game similar to chess, but it is actually simpler to play. The game uses pieces called 'dam,' or you can also use small stones.
In dam-daman, each dam or stone can only move along the lines forward, backward, sideways, or diagonally. To capture an opponent's piece, you just need to jump over it.
If the opponent does not capture a piece when given the chance, they will be penalized and will lose 3 of their pieces. The game ends when one player successfully captures all of the opponent's pieces.
11. Gangsing
Gangsing is a type of traditional game more often played by boys. This game requires a wooden tool that resembles a large shallot, with a knob on top.
The way to play gangsing is simple, you just wrap the knob of the gangsing with a string from tree bark, and then throw it as hard as you can. Make sure the gangsing spins for a long time and in a controlled direction. For that reason, each child usually has their own special technique.
Gangsing is also often held in competitions, usually organized by communities, schools, or local governments. The winner of the competition is generally determined by how long the gangsing spins and how long it can stay on the track.
12. Kites
The creation of the children's song titled "Kite" was not without reason. Yes, this traditional game is quite popular in Indonesia and is still enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults.
A kite itself is a sheet of paper, plastic, or cloth mounted on a frame and flown using a string in an open field. This tool is called a kite because it can float in the wind.
13. Slingshot
Among the various traditional games in Indonesia, the slingshot was often played by children in the past. This game is shaped like a Y, with each end connected by a rubber band.
To play the slingshot, you can take a projectile, place it on the slingshot skin, pull it firmly, and release until it hits the target. Additionally, this game should ideally be played in an open space for safety.
14. Fortress
Fortress is a traditional group game, specifically between 2 groups, each consisting of 4–8 people. Next, each group must choose a place to serve as their base, whether it is a pole, pillar, or stone.
Once that is done, one player will step forward and challenge a player from the opposing group. If the challenger is touched, they will be declared out, and their teammates will chase the players from the opposing fortress.
This strategy is carried out continuously until a player can touch the opposing fortress while shouting the word "fortress." In this game, teams usually divide their members into specific roles, such as spies, guards, or defenders.
15. Cublak-Cublak Suweng
Cublak-Cublak Suweng is a traditional game from Central Java that is popular among young girls. The way to play it is quite simple: one player acts as the guesser, who must bend over and face downward.
Meanwhile, the remaining players encircle the guesser and place their hands openly on her back. Then they will sing the song Cublak-Cublak Suweng while passing a pebble between the players.
After the song ends, the player who passes the pebble must quickly hide it. Now, the player who bent over earlier must guess which player is holding the pebble.
16. Cat-and-Mouse
Cat-and-Mouse is a traditional game from Central Java, East Java, and the Special Region of Yogyakarta. This game involves two people who must act as a mouse and a cat after a rock-paper-scissors match, while the other players act as guarding mice.
Next, the mouse and cat are in the middle of the guarding mice, who hold hands. The cat's task is to catch any mice trying to escape from the circle, while the guarding mice must block the cat from doing so.
17. Bakiak Game
The bakiak game is played by 3–4 people or groups, each responsible for wearing a pair of these tools. When the game starts, each group must walk simultaneously to reach the finish line first and win.
This popular traditional game comes from West Sumatra province and is also known as terompah galuak or long stilts. This type of game is also often used in various competitions and traditional events.
18. Patok Lele
The next traditional Indonesian game is Patok Lele, which is played by two groups, each with at least two members. As the name suggests, this game involves planting a bamboo stake in the ground as the initial target.
Next, players must reach the stake by running or jumping. Moreover, the rules of this game can vary depending on the location and the preferences of the local community.
19. Boi-Boian
Boi-Boian is a traditional game played by knocking down a stack of broken roof tiles using a ball. To play this game, two small groups are needed, each with at least two members.
Since the game requires cooperation among players, it is usually played in the afternoon when children finish school. Besides cooperation, this type of traditional game also teaches sportsmanship and agility.
20. Rangku Alu
Rangku Alu is a traditional Indonesian game originating from East Nusa Tenggara. This game is generally played as an expression of gratitude and joy in celebrating the harvest from plantations and agriculture.
During the full moon, teenagers usually gather to celebrate Rangku Alu. Players will hold four bamboo sticks and move them, while other players must jump over the bamboo squares following the open-and-close movements without getting caught.
Benefits of Traditional Games
Not only does playing traditional games help preserve culture, but it can also provide other important benefits. Some of the benefits of traditional games that you should know include:
- Training social and emotional intelligence.
- Increasing creativity.
- Improving physical and mental health.
- Developing cognitive abilities.
- Creating a joyful atmosphere.
- Teaching various cultural values.
Those are the traditional games that can be played to help preserve Indonesian culture while strengthening friendships. So, do you still remember, or even play, some of the traditional games mentioned above?
Of course, playing some of the games above requires extra energy and enthusiasm. So don't forget to drink water while playing. Always make sure you have AQUA 600 ml to keep your body hydrated before, during, and after playing.
