Traditional Game - Sepak Takraw

Yes, sepak takraw this time. Guess you had heard this game before, isn't it? Anyway, sepak takraw is a well recognised game in Asia, and was a favourite pastime that was played as early as the 9th century.



Introduction to sepak takraw

Basically, sepak takraw is a traditional game of the Malays, and is known by different names in different countries. For example, this game is called "takraw" in Thailand and called Sepak Raga in Malay.


Singapore sepak takraw national team
[taken from http://www.sepaktakraw.org/galleryspore.htm ]

Equipments needed

-a sepak takraw ball as shown below
-a court
-a net to separate the court into two



[ taken from http://worldfootbag.com/catalog/newest-photos/919.jpg ]

Method of play
Resembling volleyball, players use their feet and head for ball contact.
For more information, please visit this webby. http://sportsmuseum.ssc.gov.sg/museum/ssm_cat_detailsadf0.html?type=5&artID=78&root=76&cat=19#rules

Personal Experience
I had attempted this game before and was quite a painful experience for me though. As I was injury-prone, and this ball is very hard, I was badly injured when this ball hit me.

Traditional Game - Main Lereng

This game, Main Lereng, was introduced and initiated in the late 1950's in Singapore by the younger kids. At that point of time, there were very little entertainment for them, thus children in those days come up with very innovative games to keep them occupied, and one of which is this.



What is Main Lereng?

Main Lereng is also known as "bicycle rim". From this, I guess u can deduce what the game would be about. Anyway, a bicycle rim and a wooden stick (or any other material that can support) are used; the bicycle rim to be held straight and upright and the stick to move the rim forward by thrusting it. I will explain further later on.






[a bicycle rim] taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/synapticimpulse/405249138/


Method of play

Difficulty Level- 3/5 (Average)

Just like any other traditional games that I mentioned earlier, it can be of team play or of individual play. Firstly, two parallel lines are drawn in the venue 5 metres apart, the starting line and the finishing line. Just like a 5m race, the first who reaches the finishing line eventually wins, just that this time round, it is not running but using a bicycle rim.

The individual play version- when the whistle sounds(marking the start), the two competitors will use the stick to roll their bicycle rims along, maintaining the upright position thoughout the whole game.

The team play version- played as a relay.


For more information of this game, visit this webby- http://sportsmuseum.ssc.gov.sg/museum/ssm_cat_details4ae5.html?type=5&artID=432&root=76&cat=19


Personal Experience

Anyway, when I was young, this game had long being "extinct", and I had no chance to try this seemingly fun game unfortunately.

Traditional Game - gasing

Yup, the name of this traditional game I'm gonna introduce to you guys this week is gasing. I bet you will be dazed, wondering " oh well what is this unknown game ? " Never mind, carry on reading, and soon you will get the gist of it.



What is gasing?
Basically, gasing is a Malay word, meaning "top", which is a toy tapering to a metal point whereby it can be made to spin. It is invented by the Malays and is an activity enjoyed by them during the kampong days. However, modernisation of Singapore has caused this game's popularity to decline as kampongs turn to public flats.



Equipment needed to play gasing
-a top as seen below ( one for every single player )
-strings
-a platform (for the tops)




( taken from http://i.pbase.com/u34/1melvin/large/34750217.Gasing.jpg)

Method of Play
Firstly, let me rate this game according to its difficulty. Difficulty level - 1/5 ( easy game! )
This particular game can be of individual play or of team play. I would recommend the team play version because it seems more fun than a one-versus-one match, isn't it?
The aim of this game is to ensure that the top is spinning as long as possible in the platform or a specified area.

The individual play version - the two players spin their tops into the specified area. The person whose top spins the longest eventually win the game.
Note: the top must be spinning in the particular area. if the top spins out of it, the player will be automatically disqualified.
The teamplay version - There will be 2 platforms/specified areas ( depending on how many teams ). One of the members in each team will have to spin their tops in their areas. When the top stops or goes out of the area, the next member has to quickly take over and spins his/her top. The team which has a last top which outspins the rest eventually wins the game.

For more information regarding this game, feel free to visit this webby - http://sportsmuseum.ssc.gov.sg/museum/ssm_cat_details56f5.html?type=5&artID=80&root=76&cat=19

Example on method of play of jianzi

I've uploaded this video to my blog from youtube. For visual demonstration of gameplay of Jianzi, feel free to view this!

Traditional Game - jianzi

Hi there again. From now on, I will be posting about a traditional game every week, so as to avoid confusion and maintain tidiness. Firstly, let me get started by introducing this particular Chinese game to you guys - Capteh aka jianzi.



Introduction to jianzi
Jianzi was developed in ancient China during the Han dynasty. This game was considered famous during the kampong days in Singapore and Malaysia and was well-liked by boys at that time. However, popularity of this game declined over the years as boys preferred to play electronic and computer games.



Equipment needed to play jianzi
A colorful shuttlecock
(taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/exif/229705528/)
It is made up of colorful feathers, secured to a rubber base.



How to play?
Actually this traditional game is easy yet fun, to think of it. However, all I could say is, it is harder than it looks. Basically, players involved in the game have to make sure the shuttlecock stays in the air. A point is rewarded for every successive kick. If a particular player fails to keep the equipment in the air, he or she has to pick it up and hand it to the next player. The game will continue as such. There's no time limit and player limit.
And therefore, the player with the highest score eventually wins the game.

Introduction. First entry

Hi everyone, I'm Wei Yi from Mobile and Wireless Computing(MWC). When I'm free, I will be doing things such as playing sports, chatting online, watch Korean dramas, etc. This blog will be about a project of my module, whereby it is on Creating and Sustaining a New Media Site. And the topic of my blog will be regarding traditional games in Singapore.



As realised, hardly young Singaporeans know much about traditional games. This can be understood due to modernisation of Singapore, which in turn led such "kampong" games facing "extinction". And this should not be happening! Why? Because such traditional games are created by our forefathers and they are represented as a symbolic significance to each and every ethnic group in Singapore! They are also rich in cultural values, which should not be forgotten!



Thus, I'm creating this blog so as to raise awareness of "endangered" traditional games in Singapore and hope you would enjoy, and if possible, share experiences with me too.



Thanks.