Traditional Games In Malaysia

Wau (Kite Flying)

Wau is a traditional kite that is especially popular in the state of Kelantan and Terengganu on the East Coast of Malaysia, where farmers fly them on the leveled paddy fields after a harvest. These giant kites are often as big as a man - measuring about 3.5 meters from head to tail. The most popular shape of the kite is the crescent moon (wau bulan). Over the years, kite festivals have encouraged creativity in kite-making, thus resulting in kites that are designed in the shape of a fish, cat, caterpillar, and bird.

Gasing

A gasing is  a giant top spinning. Each gasing or top weight approximately 5kg or 10Ibs and the wooden tops are as big as the size of a dinner plate. Traditionally played before the rice harvest season, this game requires strength, co-ordination and skill. The top is set spinning by unfurling a rope that has been wound around it. Then it is scooped off the ground, whilst still spinning, using a wooden bat with a centre slit and transferred onto a low post with a metal receptacle. If expertly hurled, it can spin for as long as 2 hours.

Congkak

This game is usually played by 2 girls sitting face to face on the ground, using rubber seeds, saga or small marbles as the seeds. Seeds are points for the players. It consists of a wooden board with two rows of five, seven, or nine holes and two large holes at both ends called "home". To start the game, player chooses to take all the seeds from one pit and place one at a time into another pit including the player’s Home, moving in clockwise. Seeds are not to be put in opponent’s Home. The game will carry on till all the pits on one side are empty. The winner is the player who captured the most seeds.

Sepak Takraw

Sepak Takraw also known as sepak raga, is a traditional ball game in which a  ball made by weaving strips of buluh bamboo or rattan together is passed about using any part of the body except the lower arms and hands. There are two main types of sepak takraw: bulatan and jaring. Sepak raga bulatan is the original form in which players form a circle and try to keep the ball in the air as long as possible. Sepak takraw jaring is the modern version in which the ball is passed across a court over a high net.

Sepak Manggis

Sepak manggis is a unique outdoor game played by the Bajau and Iran men of Sabah. Forming a circle and facing each other, players aim to strike the bunga manggis floral carrier that dangles from a 10-meter high pole. The winner will be rewarded with money, gift or edibles, which are in the carrier.