Traditional games boost unity and happiness

JAKARTA (JP): Pole climbing, gunny sack races and dashes involving small feats, such as balancing a marble on a spoon, were the most popular games played in communities across Jakarta and its suburbs to commemorate Indonesia's Independence Day on Aug. 17.

The annual celebration has always enjoyed great popularity, with many communities preparing for the celebration weeks or even months beforehand.

Smog and traffic were nonexistent on the streets across Jakarta on Friday, an unusual sight from the rest of the week when traffic jams clog almost all the major roads.

A national holiday for most people, the day was spent by the majority of residents gathering together and organizing celebrations in their respective neighborhoods.

One residential area in Menteng, Central Jakarta, had been preparing for its celebration the entire week. "We've been organizing these games for the past three years," Ade Hutabarat, the community chief told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

Ade said the August celebration helped residents there learn more about each other and promote understanding among them.

"Before it was only the more established families who had lived in the area for many years that knew each other. They weren't interested in newcomers, who were also reluctant to get acquainted with them," he said, adding that it was not difficult to involve everyone in the games.

He said that the games were held on one particular street in the community after blocking entrances at both ends. Residents along with their maids took part in the games played every Independence Day, which include climbing a greased areca nut tree pole, a gunny sack race, a dangdut (popular local music) dance competition and the marble balancing race.

"Most of the participants are young people. But there are also older people. It's very nice to enjoy the event and have a laugh with other residents," said 74-year-old Nusyirwan Iskandar.

"We hope to unite our diverse residents," Inneke Pandjaitan, one of the event organizers told The Post.

One foreign family in the area had actively participated in the festivities since they arrived last year.

"I participate in the games because I'm a resident of this area. It's fun," said Noriko Suzuki, who enjoyed the dangdut dance competition the most.

On the side of the busy Jl. Gen. Basuki Rahman, Cipinang subdistrict in East Jakarta, several women were running from a cage full of birds to an empty one in a game called "bird catching", according to Radisman, the community chief.

Besides pole climbing and marble balancing relays, organizers invented several new and unique games, such as laughing and crying competitions with participants vying to be the most realistic.

"I'm taking part in the games because they are funny. We're really having fun," Rominah said.

Radisman noted that the most important thing from the annual games was that all his residents felt happy and unified. "Everyone seems happy, and that's all that matters," he said. (06)