School in Tanah Bumbu preserves traditional games

Batulicin, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - The state junior high school SMPN 4 Simpang Empat in Tanah Bumbu District, South Kalimantan, begin to preserve and develop traditional games, while most children left them behind or even have not known about.

Old fashion games, such as egrang stilts, engklek, and gatri, are now played by students of the school.

The principal of the SMPN 4 Simpang Empat Marwanto, through sports teacher Sujud Mariono in Batulicin, Saturday, said the purpose to develop the traditional games in order students preserve them as the Indonesian specific characteristic.

"We also want to introduce the traditional games to Indonesian people who do not know the local games of Tanah Bumbu," he said.

It is very useful to teach Indonesian children to think creatively by utilizing the existing resources around, as they are expected to grow up to be creative in positive things, he said

The game developed in the school is stilting (egrang) or sticks used by a person to be able to stand within a certain distance above the ground.

Then, engklek or jumping game on flat plots drawn on the ground. The player jumping with one leg from one to other boxes.

Furthermore, the game of gatri, using two pieces of bamboo, one resembles a stick measuring 30 cm and the other one is smaller.

The first small piece of bamboo is placed between two stones then struck by a bamboo stick, proceeded by hitting the small bamboo as far as possible. The batter will keep beating until several times until the blow does not hit or miss the small bamboo.

"The game has started to disappear, as the kids get to know more games online or play with technology things like the internet, and social networking," said Sujud.