Promote traditional games among children: Surjadi

JAKARTA (JP): About 940 children performed traditional Indonesian games at a fiesta at Ragunan Zoo, Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta over the weekend.

The fiesta included traditional playground games, dances, sports and a bazaar.

Governor Surjadi Soedirja opened the fiesta Saturday, releasing dozens of colorful helium-filled balloons into the air.

A troupe of girls attired in red-and-yellow traditional Jakartan costumes kicked off the venue by performing Ronggeng Betawi, one of the city's popular dances.

This was followed by a demonstration of the Indonesian traditional martial art pencak silat, which was performed by another group of children -- aged between four and 17 years -- armed with different kinds of sharp weapons.

Using his inner strength, four-year-old Rachman amazingly "beat" four adults, who tried to attack him with weapons.

Teenage cheerleaders from Jakarta's Junior High School of Tourism used stilts, locally known as engrang, in their act.

Other playground games included rounders, tug-of-war, gobak sodor and dagongan.

Speaking to reporters after the opening, Surjadi said: "Our children should not forget these games. They're fun, interesting and relaxing."

"In an era of globalization, where there are no more boundaries between countries, these traditional activities must be continued and preserved to strengthen our culture and remind children that our games are cheap, fun and healthy," he said.

Surjadi said Jakarta's children have been heavily influenced by a modern environment.

"Many of them play with sophisticated, expensive toys. They may not know that toys can also be made from tree branches, soil, rubber and many other things that are easy and free to get," he said.

The governor urged schools in Jakarta to make the traditional games part of their extracurricular activities.

The fiesta, organized by the City's Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Office, ended yesterday. Winners were awarded attractive prizes, such as money, trophies and stationary kits.

The annual event, held in conjunction with the country's independence anniversary and the city's anniversary, was staged for the first time in 1995 at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta.

FeMale Radio

Meanwhile, FeMale radio and PT Roche pharmaceutical firm jointly held a separate venue involving 130 Jakartan families at the zoo yesterday.

The event, called Zig Zag Zoo, was intended to promote Ragunan Zoo among middle and upper-class families, most of whom listen to FeMale radio, said Arni Ardas, radio station promotion staffer.

Participants, including parents and kids, were asked to stroll around the zoo for two hours and stop at four posts where they had to answer questions on animals and the environment.

During the two-hour tour, participants were also obliged to pick up garbage using bamboo sticks.

Fun games were held for children such as a fishing contest, guessing animals' sounds, speech contest and describing animals in English.

Soraya Haque, a local model and artist participating in the event with her family, said: "We've never been here before. I am glad that FeMale invited us because my kids enjoyed the tour very much."

The venue provided prizes like a barbecue kit, refrigerator and a Hewlett-Packard printer for participants, who could properly answer the questions and collected the most garbage.

At the end of the games, organizers handed over Rp 2 million (US$754) to the zoo's management. (07/04)