Balinese traditional games have been passed down through generations and are an important part of the island’s cultural heritage. These games not only provide entertainment but also provide insight into the island’s distinctive customs, beliefs, and way of life.
Traditional games in Bali range from physically demanding games that require strength and agility to more strategic games that test one’s mental prowess.
With the island’s rapid modernization, these games have become less popular, but efforts are being made to preserve them so that future generations can enjoy and appreciate them. In this article, we will explain traditional games from the Island of the Gods that you should know, or maybe you can try them as well.
Gebug Tingkih
Gebug tingkih is a Balinese traditional game that makes use of tingkih, also known as candlenut. The game is a one-on-one competition.
If the tingkih breaks, the player loses and is unable to play any longer. The unbroken tingkih will be contested until it determines who is the most powerful and who is the winner of the game.
Matembing Gandongan
Matembing gandongan, which originated in Buleleng, is one of the traditional games that Balinese children used to play. Holding teammates is part of playing the game.
One child plays a horse while another child plays a horse jockey. This horse-like game was played as a dexterity test with jockeys who did not hold the horse’s neck.
There is another version of this game in which the player sits on their friend’s back. If the player who holds their teammate hits the stone target on the other side, the player’s position will be switched.
Ma Genuk Genukan
This Balinese traditional game had a large number of participants. Later, deliberation will determine who will be in charge of becoming a genuk or a messenger.
The game begins with a game of rock-paper-scissors to determine which group will go first. If it is discovered that somebody accidentally mentioned the name of the member who was in charge of being a genuk, that member will be eliminated and forced to stand around the genuk.
Siap-Siap
Siap-Siap is a traditional Balinese game in which players hide and seek in sown coconut leaves. Pakembar must remember both their own and opposing members’ names.
Then, the team that is playing will guess who is behind the coconut leaf weave by mentioning the opponent’s names. If the guess is correct, the opponent’s member is eliminated and must leave the game.
Masuntik
This Balinese traditional game requires two long and two short wooden sticks, as well as two stones or soil with a few holes. Short wood is used to span the hole or stone, while long wood is used to raise small wood until it reaches a high point.
The opposing player must be able to catch the wood; if they do, they receive one point and alternate as the wood taker.
If you want to know more about other Indonesian traditional games or other cultures as well, check out these articles below:
