10 Traditional Toys from Indonesia That Bring Back Your Memory

Indonesia has a lot of unique traditional cultures that you will never found them in any country.  From traditional dances from Jakarta and other regions, traditional music instruments, and traditional toys. For ’90s generation may seem familiar for the traditional toy from their regions.

Commonly in most of the region in Indonesia has the same toy but has a different name. It depends on where its region the toy belongs to. For example, in Java island, there is Gundu for playing marbles. But in other regions, the name can be Kelereng, Kaleci, Keneker, and many more that come from the most beautiful cities in Indonesia.

Now, here we have some of the traditional toys that will bring back your memory into a nostalgic moment. For Millenials, may these toys sound unfamiliar but they become the part of Indonesian cultures that you should preserve. Let’s check them out so you will not miss any of them!

1. Gundu

Gundu is a kind of marble that you can play with your friends. Commonly, boys love this kind of toy than the girl. There are so many games you can play with Gundu. It depends on where the region you lived in.

Usually, boys will play Gundu with the track or long line then they made a 5cm of holes in the ground. Every kid should get their Gundu into the holes but it will not be easy to get there. other kids will try to block the one who tries to get the holes in one or another way.

2. Gasing

Gasing is a traditional toy that made from the Beluluk or the very young age of coconut. You will need a stick of coconut leaves to make it spin on the ground. It should be linked with Karet Gelang so that it will have a good balance. The boy will love to play Gasing than any other toy.

3. Ketapel

Ketapel is a traditional toy made by a branch of a tree which specifically form as the Y alphabet. It has to be linked with an elastic rubber and one of the big rubber to hold the specific object. Besides games need, Ketapel also uses to hunt some birds or so in some of the beautiful forests in Indonesia.

4. Egrang

Egrang is a kind of toy that plays with bamboo that is assembled with short bamboo. The short ones use for the foothold so that you will not fall from the bamboo. You can walk with the Egrang carefully into some line.

Commonly, both girls or boys will get the Egrang race to see who will win. Egrang is pretty difficult if you are not knowing the technique. That because the bamboo comes in a slim way and you should walk through it.

5. Karet Gelang

Karet Gelang is a kind of toy that usually plays by girls. They commonly play the Lompat Tali games were play by a minimum of three girls. The two of them will hold the Karet Gelang that have to chain becomes a rope. Then one girl will jump between it while both of her friends are swinging it properly in a good rhythm.

Other games also can be plays with Karet Gelang such as jump into the chain step by step from your ankle to your head. To jump over your friend’s head can be more challenging. Moreover when your friends are taller than you.

6. Dakon

Dakon can be played with stones or some Kecik or sapodilla seeds. So, there are twelve holes that you should fill with stones or Kecik. Every player will take everything inside the holes then share them one by one to other holes until the stone has no longer available to share.

Dakon is so popular in Indonesian culture. Both girls and boys can play it, but commonly girls preferred to play it. not only using a Dakon box, but you can also play it with the ground that you can make some hole on its. With the famous natural landmark in Indonesia, kids usually using nature to support their games.

7. Gatheng

Gatheng plays with some stones that should you take one by one until the amount you have to take them all. It needs the agility, speed, and accuracy of the player. There are some levels to take the stone from one up to a certain amount that has been agreed upon among the player.

The first time you start the Gatheng games is throwing one stone, then followed by some certain amount. This toy is more challenging to play than you thought because it needs a full concentration to plays.

8. Layang – Layang

Layang – Layang or Kite is a traditional toy that usually plays by boys. You need to read where the wind goes to make your kite fly higher as you expected. Nowadays, you can still see some kids playing kite on the beach.

In Parangtritis beach, Yogyakarta there also a big event about the kite festival that you can follow. If you are not ready to follow, you can just enjoy their performances in one of the best beaches in Indonesia.

9. Tempurung

Tempurung is a traditional toy made from the chain and Tempurung of the coconut covers. To play the game with Tempurung, commonly kid uses them for the race to gain their speed. This game is quite simple than the Egrang that needs more focus to keep your balance in a high position.

10. Pistol Bambu

Pistol Bambu or the bamboo gun is a traditional toy that plays in a Pletokan game. The name of Pletokan comes from the sound that you hear once the gun you shot. It made from bamboo, usually the little one with length about 30cm. The bullet usually uses some seeds or just a crush paper.

So, there are 10 traditional toys from Indonesia that you should know. Some of them can bring back your memory into a nostalgic vibe. Have you ever play them all?