Reviving Traditional Games - Gasing

A pair of wooden gasing.

Basic Information

A gasing (also called spinning top or spintop) is a toy designed to be spun rapidly on the ground, the motion of which causes it to remain precisely balanced on its tip because of inertia. Traditionally gasing were constructed of wood, sometimes with an iron tip, and would be set in motion by aid of a string or rope coiled around its axis which, when pulled quickly, caused a rapid unwinding that would set the top in motion.

Historical Origins

An ancient spinning top in China.

While the gasing is unique to mainly Singapore and Malaysia, tops have been played around the world for centuries. Tops/Gasing have turned up in many historical and archaeological sites, proving that they have been in existence since ancient times.

People in Asia made tops from a variety of objects, including conch shells, wood, seed pods and even iron. During the Song dynasty (960–1279) in China, court ladies were said to have played with tops made of ivory.

How to Play

A spinning top being lashed out.

A string or rope must be coiled around the axis, or the tip. It must be thrown and pulled back quickly, causing the rope and string to uncoil quickly and cause the gasing to be set in motion and start spinning.
Try to toss the gasing far, but not too much in order to be able to pull back the string coiled around it to let it rotate.






Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top
http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_401_2004-12-09.html
http://malaysiangames.blogspot.sg/p/gasing-and-tarik-upih.html

Reviving Traditional Games - Chapteh

A Chapteh player juggling the shuttlecock.

Basic Information

Chapteh is a traditional Asian game in which players aim to keep a heavily weighted shuttlecock in the air by using their bodies, apart from the hands.The game is played on a court similar to badminton and volleyball, or be played artistically, among a circle of players in a street or park, with the objective to keep the shuttle 'up' and show off skills.

Historical Origins

The first known version of jianzi or chapteh was in the 5th century BC in China. The game is believed to have evolved from cuju, a game similar to football that was used as military training.^[4] Over the next 1000 years, this shuttlecock game spread throughout Asia, acquiring a variety of names along the way.

Jianzi/Chapteh has been played since the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), and was popular during the Six Dynasties period. Thus the game has a history of two thousand years. Several ancient books attest to its being played.

How to Play

Chapteh or Jianzi can be played in various numeral ways such as standing in a circle, between two kickers or it can also be played alone. The goal of the game is to keep the chapteh in the air by kicking it upwards. Freestyle Chapteh is also famous among-st artists who perform them.

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jianzi

Reviving Traditional Games - Fighting Spider

Spiders fighting on a stick.

Basic Information
Although not commonly played back then in Singapore, it was a notable mention in Traditional Games found in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, spider fighting is staged between female orb-weavers from the genus Araneus. In Japan, the contests occur at an annual festival and use females of the genus Argiope. In Japanese these contests are called Kumo Gassen (spider battles). In Singapore, they use males of the genus Thiania, and most commonly use the species Thiania bhamoensis, although another species of that genus may sometimes be used. Like cock fighting, spider fighting is a sport that usually involves betting and events occur frequently.

Historical Origins

The sport of spider fighting occurs in different forms in several areas of the world. Among them are the Philippines, Japan, and Singapore. The fights that occur in the Philippines and in Japan are staged between females of various species of web weavers. Female spiders will kill a rival if the loser does not quickly flee or receive the aid of a human handler. The contests that are staged in Singapore are fights between male jumping spiders. The males fight only for dominance, and ordinarily the loser will flee, though sometimes they will lose a leg in the fight.

How to Play

Basic needs of Spider Fighting require a spider, specifically female orb-weavers. They are usually kept in an empty matchbox with holes small enough to allow air in but not to allow the spider to get out. Both spiders are then put on a stick and let out of their matchboxes to fight. Bets are often placed on which spider wins, so the winner will receive some money and recognition for the spider.







Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_fighting

Reviving Traditional Gaming - Sepak Takraw

A typical game of Sepak Takraw found in championships.

Basic Information

Sepak Takraw, or "kick volleyball" is a sport native to the Malay Peninsula. In countries like Singapore, Malaysia or Japan, Sepak Takraw is treated like a professional sport with tournaments and championships being occasionally held.

Historical Origins

Earliest historical evidence shows the game was played in the 15th century's Malacca Sultanate, for it is mentioned in the Malay historical text, "Sejarah Melayu" (Malay Annals).^[4]The Malay Annals described in details the incident of Raja Muhammad, a son of Sultan Mansur Shah who was accidentally hit with a rattan ball by Tun Besar, a son of Tun Perak, in a Sepak raga game. The ball hit Raja Muhammad's headgear and knocked it down to the ground. In anger, Raja Muhammad immediately stabbed and killed Tun Besar, whereupon some of Tun Besar's kinsmen retaliated and wanted to kill Raja Muhammad. However, Tun Perak managed to restrain them from such an act of treason by saying that he would no longer accept Raja Muhammad as the Sultan's heir. As a result of this incident, Sultan Mansur Shah ordered his son out of Malacca and had him installed as the ruler of Pahang.^[5]

How to Play - Instructions

Sepak takraw is played between two teams of three players; the left inside, right inside and back. The court is about the same size as a badminton court (20 by 44 feet) and the net is 1.52 metres high. Traditionally balls were hand-woven from bamboo or rattan, but most modern ones are synthetic.

Basic rules and scoring are similar to volleyball. Each team is allowed a maximum of three touches of the ball to get it back over the net to the other side without letting it touch the ground. The first team to score either 15 or 21 points, depending on the rules in play, wins the set. The team that prevails in two sets wins the match.

Play starts when the server is tossed the grapefruit-sized ball by a teammate while keeping one foot in a small 'serving circle'. He then must kick the ball over the net with the other foot. After that, volleyball rules pretty much apply, except for the fact that the ball can't be touched by the hands or arms, instead having to use your feet to kick the ball to the other side of the court and over the net. Top takraw players have to combine great foot-eye coordination with quickness, anticipation, power, flexibility, and acrobatic skills. 

Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepak_takraw
http://www.perses.org/Article/Entries/2011/4/25_HOW_TO_PLAY_SEPAKTAKRAW.html
http://www.bangkok.com/sport-sepak-takraw/basic-rules---how-to-play.htm