TRADITIONAL GAMES AND PASTIMES IN INDONESIA

GAMES IN INDONESIA

A relief from Borobudur (I think) said to show people playing dice, maybe the person on the far left

In Indonesia, traditional board games have long been played using wooden boards that range from simple to finely crafted. Games such as chess and checkers were likely introduced from India and were recorded by European observers in Java and Sumatra in the early sixteenth century. Chess, with its structured pieces and strategic play, was associated early on with educated and elite groups. In more recent periods, the Batak people of northern Sumatra have been noted for strong chess ability. [Source: “Culture and Customs of Indonesia” by Jill Forshee, Greenwood Press, 2006]

Card games became widespread through Chinese and later European influence. Indonesians play a range of games, including poker, canasta, euchre, and local variations, as well as adaptations of mahjong. Many of these games involve betting, despite religious prohibitions on gambling in Islam and Christianity.

Dice games have been present in the region since at least the sixteenth century and may have earlier origins linked to India. Historical records note their use in the Maluku Islands. Gambling with dice is common in informal settings such as markets. Dice also appear in local versions of the Mahabharata, where gambling is a key theme. Divination practices are also common and may function as both ritual and leisure activities. Methods include card reading, dice casting, dream interpretation, and symbolic drawings. These activities are often carried out socially, and individuals who are considered skilled in interpretation may gain local recognition.

There are many children games that require little equipment. Hopscotch-like games are common, with patterns drawn on the ground and players hopping on one foot while moving a small marker. Games similar to jacks are also played using shells, stones, or small objects. In addition, children often use items derived from cultural practices, such as small woven hobbyhorse figures modeled on ceremonial props, which are used in imaginative play.

Congklak

Indonesian stamp showing kids playing congklak

Congklak is a traditional board game played widely in Indonesia and is part of a broader family of similar games found across Asia and Africa. Regarded as one of the oldest games in the world, it is often linked to ancient Egypt, and was likely introduced to Indonesia centuries ago through Indian or Arab trade networks. [Source: “Culture and Customs of Indonesia” by Jill Forshee, Greenwood Press, 2006, expat.or.id]

The game is played on a long board, typically made of wood or plastic, with seven small cup-like indentations on each side and a larger “home” cup at each end. Some boards are simply made, while others are elaborately carved, particularly those produced by court artisans. Early examples of congklak boards are preserved in museums, including Indonesia’s National Museum.

Congklak uses 98 small pieces—such as shells, stones, or beads—distributed evenly among the smaller cups at the start of the game. Players take turns moving the pieces around the board with the objective of collecting as many as possible in their designated “home” cup.

Although the rules are relatively simple, the game requires planning and strategy, and skill improves with practice. It remains widely played and is also sold in markets and tourist areas, along with other traditional handmade toys found throughout the Indonesian archipelago.

Layang-Layang (Kite-Fighting)

Kite flying, known locally as layang-layang, is a widespread pastime in Indonesia, especially during the dry season. In Bali, large decorative kites fill the sky, often shaped like dragons, animals, or mythological figures. These kites are typically made from bamboo frames and colored paper, sometimes with long tails for balance. Some designs include attachments that produce humming or whistling sounds in the wind, which are traditionally associated with spiritual or symbolic meanings. [Source: “Culture and Customs of Indonesia” by Jill Forshee, Greenwood Press, 2006. expat.or.id]

Kites are commonly built and flown by boys and adult men, often as a shared activity. Designs and construction methods vary by region, and kite-making itself is considered a skilled craft. Two main types are used: standard kites for display and flight, and fighting kites used in competitive contests. Standard kites usually have tails to stabilize them, while fighting kites are smaller, lighter, and designed for maneuverability.

Fighting kites are used in one-on-one competitions where the objective is to cut the opponent’s string. The strings are often coated with a mixture containing fine glass particles, making them sharp enough to sever another line. This coating is either prepared manually or purchased ready-made. The way the string is attached to the kite affects control: wider spacing allows greater control but requires more effort to handle, while closer attachment makes the kite lighter but less stable.

Skill is essential in controlling tension and movement during kite battles. Flyers adjust the string by pulling or releasing it to avoid being cut while trying to cut their opponent’s line. When a kite is severed, it drifts away, often leading to children chasing it; whoever retrieves it typically claims ownership.

Gangsing (Tops)

Gangsing is a traditional game in Indonesia, typically played by boys. The gangsing is a spinning top, often made from bamboo or wood, with a small hole that produces a whistling or humming sound as it spins. The pitch of the sound varies depending on the size of the hole. A string is wound around the central spindle, and the player pulls a handle attached to the string to set the top in motion.

The game is usually played within a circle drawn on the ground, about 50 centimeters in diameter. Two players compete by spinning their tops and attempting to knock their opponent’s top out of the circle. Variations of the game also include contests to see whose top spins the longest or remains upright after contact.

Spinning tops have a long history in Indonesia and appear in many regional forms. Their design and sound-producing features suggest they may once have had roles in ritual or symbolic activities. Today, they remain a common traditional toy and are often sold in markets and near tourist sites, including in Yogyakarta, Central Java.

Kelereng (Marbles)

Kelereng (marbles) is a favourite game among boys. There are many different marble games. One popular version involves drawing a small circle on the ground. All the players place one of their marbles inside the circle. Then each player drops another marble to a point outside the circle. The player whose marble is furthest away from the circle gets to play first. [Source: expat.or.id

They must then attempt to use the marble outside the circle (the striker) to hit the marbles inside the circle and knock them out of the circle. If they are successful, they are entitled to keep the marbles they have knocked out of the circle. However, the striker marble must also come to rest outside the circle. If it does not, the striker marble must remain inside the circle, and the player forfeits it.

If a player successfully knocks one of their opponents' marbles out of the ring, they can continue their turn and try to knock out any other opponents' striker marbles. If he hits an opponent's striker marble, he can take it and that opponent cannot play in the current round. If, however, he misses his opponent's striker marble, he loses his turn and the next player can start playing.

Bekel (Like Jacks)

Bekel is a traditional game in Indonesia, similar to Western jacks and commonly played by children, especially girls. The game uses small metal or plastic pieces called biji bekel and a rubber ball. The pieces are flatter than Western jacks and have distinct sides, including a marked “pit” side and a “roh” side. [Source: http://www.expat.or.id/info/games.html]

The game begins by scattering the pieces on the ground while the ball is bounced. Players must pick up the pieces in sequence—first one at a time, then in increasing groups—while allowing the ball to bounce once for each move. In later stages, players must also flip the pieces to a specific side before collecting them, adding difficulty and requiring precision.

If a player disturbs other pieces, drops any, or fails to complete a move within a single bounce of the ball, their turn ends. The game continues with players attempting progressively harder sequences, and the winner is the one who completes the most stages without error.

Semut, Orang, Gajah (Like Rock, Scissors, Paper)

“Semut, Orang, Gajah” game is popular throughout Asia. It is similar to rock, scissors, paper except the names and hand signals are different. In Indonesia the game is also known as suwitan or pingsut and is played by young children to see who goes first in play, or just for fun to see who wins. [Source: expat.or.id

Hand signs:
semut — ant: Little finger points towards partner
orang — person: Pointer finger points towards partner
gajah — elephant: Thumb points towards partner

How to Play: Face your partner with your hand in front of you in a fist. Then, count to three together, open you hand and make one of the three hand signs. If both of you make the same sign, start again. The semut wins over the gajah because the semut can crawl in the gajah's ear and tickle him to drive him crazy. The orang wins over the semut because the orang can stomp on the semut and squash it. The gajah wins over the orang because the orang can get trampled by the gajah.

Lompat Tali

Lompat Tali is played by young girls and is kind of like jump rope except it is played with parallel “ropes” woven with rubber bands. The “rope” is made by linking together numerous small rubber bands into a long elastic loop. Two players hold the loop at each end while others take turns jumping. The game requires minimal equipment and is commonly played in schoolyards, streets, or open spaces.

Play follows a simple progression based on height. The rope is first held at ankle level and then gradually raised to the knees, waist, chest, shoulders, and sometimes above the head. Each player must successfully jump over the rope at each stage without touching it. If a player fails, they exchange places with one of the holders. Because the rope is elastic, it stretches on contact, reducing the chance of injury and allowing repeated attempts.

Regional variations exist, including versions known as “tali merdeka” in parts of Sumatra, where the name is linked to gestures resembling raised fists. The number of players typically ranges from three to ten, divided between jumpers and rope holders. The game emphasizes timing, coordination, and physical agility, especially at higher levels where jumps become more difficult.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources:“Encyclopedia of World Cultures Volume 5: East/Southeast Asia:” edited by Paul Hockings, 1993; “Culture and Customs of Indonesia” by Jill Forshee, Greenwood Press, 2006; National Geographic, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Encyclopedia.com, Library of Congress, Indonesia Tourism website (indonesia.travel), Indonesia government websites, Live Science, The Conversation, The New Yorker, Time, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Google AI, Wikipedia, The Guardian and various websites, books and other publications.

Last updated April 2026