Pemkab Aceh Besar Ajak Anak-anak Kenali Permainan Tradisional

KOTA JANTHO – The Aceh Besar district government continuously strives to nurture the younger generation’s love for local culture by preserving traditional games. Amid the rapid growth of digital technology that has made children increasingly attached to gadgets, the regional government invites them to rediscover a variety of traditional games that are rich in educational, communal, and character‑building values through a Traditional Games Festival held at Lapangan Bolakaki Lubok Sukon Ingin Jaya on Saturday (25/7/2026).

In addition to reintroducing traditional games, the event also serves as a social interaction arena for children, enabling them to communicate, cooperate, and compete healthily without relying on electronic devices. Traditional games that utilize readily available materials – such as flour or lime fashioned into galah or hadang games, or tarek taloe which uses rope – are employed. Likewise, boards and leftovers can become terumpah panyang (long stilts), while wood or bamboo can be crafted into enggrang toys and coconut leaf stems can be used for tarik situatek games.

The Third Assistant of the Aceh Besar District Secretariat, Abdullah, S.Sos., stated that the activity is part of the district government’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage while shaping the character of the younger generation through positive engagements.

“Technological progress is indeed unavoidable, but we also have a duty to ensure that children remain acquainted with their own cultural roots. Traditional games are not merely entertainment; they also serve as educational tools that instill cooperation, sportsmanship, honesty, and foster creativity and social skills,” said Abdullah.

In his view, excessive gadget use can diminish children’s social interactions and reduce essential physical activity needed during their developmental years. Therefore, local authorities continue to promote various activities that encourage children to be more active outdoors while getting to know local culture.

Abdullah further noted that preserving traditional games is not solely the government’s responsibility; it also requires support from families, schools, and communities so that this cultural heritage remains vibrant amid changing times.

“We hope that parents and teachers will continue to introduce traditional games to children. Through these simple games, values such as togetherness, mutual cooperation, respect, and brotherhood can grow from an early age. Culture will endure if it is passed on directly to future generations,” he added.

According to Piet, traditional games constitute an essential component of intangible cultural heritage whose existence must be continuously safeguarded. Beyond their historical value, folk games also embody life philosophies that remain relevant to contemporary societal development.

Traditional games are a nation’s cultural identity. They encompass values of character education, cooperation, leadership, discipline, and problem‑solving skills. Such values are not always attained through digital games. Hence, we highly commend the Aceh Besar District Government’s initiative in providing a space for children to rediscover traditional games once more,” remarked Piet Rusdi.

He explained that the Aceh Preservation Center for Culture continues to implement various cultural preservation efforts through documentation, education, community guidance, and the organization of numerous activities that directly involve the public.

In his opinion, collaboration among local governments, schools, cultural communities, and families is pivotal to ensuring the continuity of traditional games amid the rapid tide of modernization.

During the event, participants displayed enthusiasm as they took part in each game. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and vigor as children collaborated to overcome challenges in the various traditional games prepared by the committee. Many of them admitted that these were their first experiences trying certain games they had previously only heard about from parents or teachers.(**)

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