EXPLORING MALAYSIA’S RICH HERITAGE: TRADITIONAL SPORTS AND GAMES

Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures, and its traditional sports and games reflect the diversity and history of its people. These activities are more than just pastimes they tell stories of identity, community, and resilience. Let’s delve into some fascinating traditional sports and games from various states in Malaysia.

1.   Sabah Traditional Sport (Rampanau)   

Rampanau sports are traditional activities that are particularly popular among the Dusun community, especially in areas like Tambunan, Keningau, Ranau, and a few districts in Sabah. Districts designate Rampanau sports under different names. For instance, certain districts refer to this activity as Minsurukud. Rampanau sports are local traditional games that people play during their free time. Historically, they also served as a method for crossing rivers or muddy areas. Nowadays, the younger generation primarily plays rampanau sports during the Kaamatan festival. 

Natural materials, such as sago branches and bamboo, are used to craft rampanau. The sturdy bamboo serves as the pole, while the flexible sago branches function as the shoelaces, ensuring both durability and functionality in this traditional sport. Rampanau players use specially crafted bamboo sticks as high shoes, with their heights varying according to their personal preferences.  For example, in the Tambunan district, the bamboo sticks can range from 2 meters to 10 meters in height.

2.   Sarawak Traditional Games: Nyabung Manuk

Nyabung Manuk, or cockfighting, is a cultural game originally from the Iban tribes in Sarawak. This traditional game is believed to have initially started between the King of Iban, known as Raja Machan, and local warrior Ambon Mugan. Raja Machan emerged victorious in the first staged cockfight in Iban. In a supernatural realm, Ambon Mugan, having lost the fight, encountered Raja Petara, the Supreme God, in the sky, who bestowed upon him a formidable fighting cock, impervious to defeat in any fight. They repeated the match, with Ambon Mugan emerging victorious.

                                  

The Iban also held the belief that Raja Petara, the supreme god, determined their fate and destiny in life, which they could interpret through cockfighting. The scale of the cockleg and the leg's coloration serve as indicators of an individual's destiny and fate. The Iban people will interpret the results based on their own ancestral knowledge and beliefs. 

Currently, these traditional games will only be staged during the Gawai festival and the last death rites ceremony. This also signifies the conclusion of the mourning period. Usually, the harvest season and the burning season coincide with the annual cockfighting season.

This tradition not only reflected the characteristics of the Iban people, but also embodied the philosophical meaning inherent in Iban culture. We hope to preserve this tradition and impart its value to the younger generation.

3.   Chinese Games: Shuttlecock

shuttlecock that are used in the game

Jiàn zi, also referred to as "shuttlecock," is a traditional Chinese game that has been a part of Chinese culture since the Han dynasty. It is an ancient game that traditionally has been around for over 2000 years. Jiàn Zi made its first official sport debut in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin when a Chinese athlete demonstrated the game play at the event. Due to its tremendous recognition over the years, the 2003 Southeast Asian Games included Jiàn Zi as a sport.

 

This simple game requires full body balance and keeping the shuttlecock in the air without using your hands. Only using both legs to keep the shuttlecock from falling is allowed. All age groups continue to play Jiàn Zi today.

    4.   Malay Traditional Game: Tarik Upih

Kids are playing Tarik Upih.

Tarik Upih is a Malay traditional game that is popular among children in our country. Using areca fronds as tools, these games highlight creativity and physical strength, especially among boys. The game requires a minimum of two participants. One pulled the upih, while the other sat on it. Participants will alternate until they have completed everything. The first person to reach the finish line determines the winner. Participants must adhere to rules such as not changing pairs or assisting the towing. The play area needs to be level and safe, with participants encouraged to wear appropriate clothing as well as safety helmets. Tarik Upih also serves as a medium for socialization and teaches children how to work together. Despite its decreasing popularity in recent times, Tarik Upih remains a cultural heritage that demands preservation. Let's uphold this traditional game for future generations.

5.   Indian Traditional Games: Kancha or Marbles Games

The Indian community in Malaysia, especially among children, cherishes Kancha, or marbles, as a traditional game. Played with small, colorful marbles, the game involves flicking a shooter marble to hit or collect marbles placed in a drawn circle, requiring skill, precision, and strategy. Beyond being an engaging pastime, Kancha fosters social interaction, hand-eye coordination, and cultural bonding, reflecting the community's heritage. Though its popularity has waned due to modern digital games, it remains a nostalgic activity during cultural festivals and community events. Efforts to preserve Kancha include integrating it into cultural awareness programs to reconnect the younger generation with their roots.

Preserving the spirit of traditional games.

These traditional sports and games are more than recreational activities they are windows into Malaysia’s diverse cultural heritage. By celebrating and reviving these treasures, we not only keep history alive but also foster a sense of identity and pride in our shared legacy. Let’s take a step forward in preserving these timeless traditions for generations to come.

  JUE 200 Project.

Prepared by:

1. Azhari Bin Abd hamid JP/11104/21

2.Mohamad fahmi Bin Abdul Aziz 22307247

3.Nur Izzati Binti Yassin 23200933 

4.Muhammad Adli Bin Aziz 23200801

5.Muhamad Danial Zhafran Bin Rosli 23200788