Unique Games Of Indonesia : jump rope in the 90's colonization

This game is familiar, of course, because this jump rope game can be found in almost all of Indonesia even with different names. This rope jumping game is usually synonymous with women. but also not a few boys come to play. one of the names of this game is that of "Tali Merdeka", which is known by the people in  RIAU province and its surroundings.

Game " Tali Merdeka" is the name for those who live in Riau Province. In areas where the community is a supporter of Malay culture there is a game called "tali merdeka". The point of the game is to jump on knotted rubber ropes. Naming this game has to do with behavior or actions performed by the player himself, especially in the last jump. On this leap (the last one), the rope is stretched by the holder as high as the fist that is raised in the air. The fist is almost similar to what the fighters did when saying the word "free".

The hand movements that resemble the symbol of independence are then used as the name of the game in question. When and where the game starts it is difficult to know for sure. However, from the name of the game itself it can be assumed that this game appeared in the colonial era. Actually in other regions of Indonesia, there are also many games found, but with different names, for example, Jump Rope, Leap etc.

v  PLAYER

This independent rope player numbered 3-10 people. Players are divided into two groups, namely rubber holders and rubber jumpers. In general, this game is carried out by women aged between 7--15 years. Women who are more than 15 years old will usually be reluctant to play, fearing that their genitals will be seen when jumping over rubber bands. Even if someone is playing, usually just as a cheerleader and only jump when the rope height is still limited to the knee or waist. While men only occasionally participate in the game.

v  GAME EQUIPMENT

 The equipment used in this game is rubber bands that are braided in length. How to weave it is by connecting two pieces of rubber to two other rubber pieces to a length of about 3 - 4 meters. The rubber is round in shape like a bracelet that is widely found in traditional markets. The rubber is not sold fruit, but in the form of units of weight (grams, ounces, and kilos). The function of rubber in general is as a binder of plastic food wrappers, hair binders and other items that do not require strong binders, because the rubber will easily break if used to tie too tightly to an object. Therefore, when making wicker to form a rubber rope, two rubber pieces are needed which are connected with two other rubber pieces so that they are not quickly broken by the body members of the player who are jumping. There are times when the ropes are woven by connecting 3 - 4 pieces of rubber at once, so that the straps become stronger and can be used many times.

v  RULE OF THE GAME

The free rope game is quite simple because it only jumps over rubber webbing with a certain height. If the player can jump over the strings, he will remain a jumper until he feels tired and stops playing. However, if it fails when jumping, the player must replace the position of the rope holder until there is another player who also fails and replaces his position.

There are several sizes of rubber strap height that must be skipped, namely:

·         (1) the rope is on the knee line of the rope holder;

·         (2) the rope is limited to (at) the waist (when jumping the player must not hit the rubber strap           because if he hits it, he will replace the position of the rope holder;

·         (3) the position of the rope is on the chest of the rope holder (in a position that is considered high   enough, the player may hit the rope while jumping, provided the jump is on a rope and is not   entangled);

·         (4) the position of the rope as far as the ear;

·         (5) the position of the rope is limited to the head;

·         (6) the position of the rope one inch from the head;

·         (7) the position of the rope two inches from the head; and

·         (8) the position of the rope in the form of a rope holder.

Before the game is held, two players will first be selected who will be the rope holders with the a straight line and suit. Gambreng is done by stacking the palms of each participant who stands and forms a circle. Then, simultaneously these hands will be lifted and lowered. When lowered, the position of the hand will be different (some open the palm of the hand and some will close it).

 If the most is the position of the open palm, then the one that shows the back of his hand is declared to win and the picture will be repeated again until the remaining only two participants will become holders of the rope.

The two people will later suit, to determine who will first replace the player who failed when jumping. Suit is agility using fingers, especially the thumb, index finger and little finger.

The thumb is represented as an elephant, the index finger as a human and the little finger as an ant. when the thumb collides with the index finger, the thumb the elephant will win if it fights a human. But if the thumb collides with the little finger, the thumb will lose, because the ant can easily enter the elephant's ear, so the elephant will lose. Whereas when the little finger collides with the index finger, the little finger will lose, because the ant will lose to humans who have a lot of reason.

After everything is ready, then one by one the players will jump over the rope with various stages of height mentioned above. At altitudes that are limited to the knee and waist, generally the players can jump on it, even though at that height the rope cannot be touched by the player's body.At the height of the chest level up to one inch above the head, there are players who find it difficult to jump.Substitution of rope holders began to occur a lot when the rope height was limited to two inches above the head. . The most difficult step is when the rope is as high as the holder's hand. At this height stage, generally only players who have a high posture and who often play free ropes can jump on it. In order to make it easier to jump, players can also make rotating movements sideways, which if observed will look like a propeller rotation.


Rotating movements are generally carried out by boys. In addition to spinning, players may also hold and lower the rope before jumping. This method is usually carried out by girls. Players who have managed to jump over a rope as high as a hand, will wait for another player to finish jumping. And, after all players have managed to jump, then the rope will be lowered back to the knee. And so on, until players feel tired and stop playing.

v  CULTURE VALUE

 The game called the free rope contains the value of hard work, dexterity, precision and sportsmanship. The value of hard work is reflected in the spirit of the players who try to jump over the rope with various heights. The value of dexterity and precision is reflected in the efforts of the player to estimate the height of the rope with the leap that he will do. Agility and precision in playing can only be owned, if someone often plays and or practices jumping free rope. While the value of sportsmanship is reflected in the attitude of players who do not cheat and are willing to replace the rope holder if they violate the rules set in the game.