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GAMES KHMERS PLAY
DURING KHMER NEW YEAR
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Cambodia is home to a variety of games played to
transform the dullest days into a memorable
occasion. Through-out the Khmer New Year, street
corners often are crowded with friends and families
enjoying a break from routine, filling their free
time dancing and play.
Typically Khmer games help maintain one's mental and
physical dexterity. The body's blood pressure,
muscle system and brain all are challenged and
strengthened in the name of fun. Why not try them
for yourself?
1. "Tres"
A game played by throwing and catching a ball with
one hand while trying to catch an increasing number
of sticks with the other hand. Usually, pens or
chopsticks are used as the sticks to be caught. |
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If you have a partner, you could enjoy "Tres" game
in your own home.
2. Chol Chhoung
A game played especially on the first nightfall of
the Khmer New Year by two groups of boys and girls.
Ten or 20 people comprise each group, standing in
two rows opposite each other. One group throws the "chhoung"
to the other group. When it is caught, it will be
rapidly thrown back to the first group. If someone
is hit by the "chhoung," the whole group must dance
to get the "chhoung" back while the other group
sings.
3. Chab Kon Kleng
A game played by imitating a hen as she
protects her chicks from a crow. Adults
typically play this game on the night of the
first New Year's day. Participants usually
appoint a person with a strong build to play
the hen leading many chicks. Another person
is picked to be the crow. While both sides
sing a song of bargaining, the crow tries to
catch as many chicks as possible as they
hide behind the hen.
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4. Bos Angkunh
A game played by two groups of boys
and girls. Each group throws their
own "angkunh" to hit the master "angkunhs,"
which belong to the other group and
are placed on the ground. The
winners must knock the knee of the
losers with the "angkunh." "Angkunh"
is the name of an inedible fruit
seed, which looks like the knee
bone.
Angkunh is greatly being played
recently ont only at public place
but also school place to recall the
valueless traditional game of our
country |
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5. Leak Kanseng
A game played by a group of children sitting
in circle. Someone holding a "kanseng"
(Cambodian towel) twisted into a round shape
walks around the circle while singing a
song. The person walking secretly tries to
place the "kanseng" behind one of the
children. If that chosen child realizes what
is happening, he or she must pick up the "kanseng"
and beat the person sitting next to him or
her.
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A group of boys and girls are
initiating to play Khmer popular
game to congratulate the upcoming of
New Year Angel.
6. Bay Khom
A game played by two children in
rural or urban areas during their
free time. Ten holes are dug in the
shape of an oval into a board in the
ground. The game is played with 42
small beads, stones or fruit seeds.
Before starting the game, five beads
are put into each of the two holes
located at the tip of the board. . |
Four beads are placed in each of the remaining eight
holes. The first player takes all the beads from any
hole and drops them one by one in the other holes.
He or she must repeat this process until they have
dropped the last bead into a hole lying beside an
empty one. Then they must take all the beads in the
hole that follows the empty one. At this point, the
second player begins to play. The game ends when all
the holes are empty. The player with the greatest
number of beads wins the game.
Sourced Leisure Cambodia
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