Promote traditional games among children: Surjadi

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)