Sepak Tekong facts for kids
| Other name(s) |
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|---|---|
| Years active | c.1960–present |
| Players | 3–10 |
| Skill(s) required | Running, hiding, seeking |
Sepak Tekong is a fun, traditional children's game from Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is a lot like the game of hide-and-seek that you might know. People play Sepak Tekong in many parts of Indonesia.
The name "Sepak Tekong" comes from the Minangkabau language. The word sepak means "kick" in English. The word tekong means "can" in English. So, "Sepak Tekong" basically means "kicking the can"!
Contents
How to Play Sepak Tekong
Sepak Tekong is usually played by kids who are about eight years old or older. You need between three and ten players for the best game. It's often played in a house or a yard that has lots of good places to hide.
What You Need
To play, you need a "can." This can be a coconut shell or a small milk can filled with sand. The most important thing is that the can makes a loud sound when it is kicked.
Starting the Game
Before the game begins, one player chooses the best spot for the can. They also decide the boundaries, which are the areas where other players can hide.
To pick who will be the "guard and seeker," players do a lottery called hompimpa. This is how you decide who will try to find everyone else.
Game On!
1. All the players, including the guard and seeker, stand near the can. 2. One player kicks the can as far as they can. 3. As soon as the can is kicked, everyone except the guard and seeker runs to hide! 4. The guard and seeker sits on the can. They close their eyes and wait. 5. When all the other players are hidden, they call out "ready!" 6. Then, the guard and seeker starts looking for the hidden players.
Finding Players
- When the guard and seeker finds a hidden player, they quickly say the hider's name.
- Both the hider and the guard and seeker then race back to the can!
- If the guard and seeker gets to the can first, the hider is "caught." The guard and seeker keeps looking for other players.
- If the hider gets to the can first and touches it before the guard and seeker, they are safe!
- Sometimes, the guard and seeker might leave the can to search for players. If a hidden player sees this, they can run out and kick the can. If they do, all the players who were caught earlier are now free! They can run and hide again.
Why Sepak Tekong is Good for You
Playing Sepak Tekong has many good things about it:
- It helps you get active and move your body. You do a lot of running and hiding!
- It helps you make friends and build good relationships with other players. Everyone plays together as equals.
- It makes your memory better. The guard and seeker has to remember where everyone is and their names.
- It helps you be creative. You have to think of clever and tricky places to hide.
- It teaches you to follow rules. All players must follow the same rules of the game.
- It encourages teamwork. Sometimes, you might change rules to fit the place you are playing.
- It helps you learn good sportsmanship. You learn how to win and lose in a friendly way.
Why Fewer Kids Play It Now
Today, fewer young people play traditional games like Sepak Tekong. There are many new, modern games that seem simpler and easier to play. Only some children still know how to play Sepak Tekong.
Also, Sepak Tekong needs a big space to play. It can be hard to find large open areas now. Many places that used to be playgrounds are now being built on. Because of these changes, many kids today do not feel that Sepak Tekong is as exciting or important as other games.
