Those were the days

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LONG before the age of the Internet and electronic games, traditional pastimes were part of lives of many Malaysians.

Games like Batu Seremban, Catching, Galah Panjang, Gasing, Dam, AEIOU, Guli-Guli and Konda-Kondi were played at schools, homes and in parks.

The young and old would gather with their friends and families to play these games that were simple, creative and filled with loads of fun,

It taught the players to think on their feet, teamwork, patience, resourcefulness, concentration and trust.

Family favourite: Congkak is one of the games that has stood the test of time.

However, as new gaming technology seeped into our lives, many of these much loved traditional games have taken a back seat, especially among the younger generation.

These days, it is very rare to see these games being played in schools or parks.

The younger generation nowadays prefers to play with their mobile phones, computer games and hand- held devices.

Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur national cultural and arts department director Noorsiah Sabri recently shared her thoughts on the importance of these traditional games.

Noorsiah said traditional games provided children with necessary social skills as it involved interaction with others.

Fun and laughter: These children are enjoying a game of Galah Panjang but in the 1940s, the game was banned in Kelantan on the grounds that it was too dangerous.

She said by playing electronic games, children tended to lack social interaction as it confined them to a room.

In the past, games were played to fill precious time as there were no television or video games.

“Now, when they play congkak, they use marbles but, back then, they used actual congkak fruits to play. The games were created naturally over time.

“Playing these traditional games enabled people to make new friends, coordinate as a team as well as learn how to plan.

“In many ways, these games are a part of the Malaysian identity,” she said.

Noorsiah said the games would always be something that was ingrained in our lives.

Thus, it is important to make the games relevant to the present society and cultivated further for the next generation.

Several ministries have hosted many events featuring the games in an effort to promote them to the students.

They offer a healthy form of exercise for the mind and body while enhancing interactive skills.

Part of the problem that has affected the popularity of traditional games could be due to environmental factors.

Noorsiah said with parents putting a lot of emphasis on studies, the children probably did not have time to express themselves via such games.

“However, all work and no play can be very boring, which is why we need a balanced life.

“It is up to us to make time for recreation,” she said.

Noorsiah added that the games could be made popular through sporting events but this would involve a collective effort from the relevant ministries, schools, non-governmental organisations, children and parents.