Traditional Games: The Gems of Our Childhood

Is Cohabitation between Traditional Games and Technological Devices Possible in a Child’s Life These Days?

Setting foot into GohKakiChildhood Museum can be promptly described as having been swept into a time portal and deposited back into one’s childhood days.

Bittersweet nostalgia permeates the air as one walks through the length of the museum. Rows of picture frames featuring a vast array of long forgotten traditional games line the left wall. A bird-shaped kite painted with a hotchpotch of orange, yellow, green and pink colours is propped against the far side of the right wall while every nook and cranny of the museum is crammed with toys of yesteryears.

That said it is inevitable when openly confronted by the memorabilia of one’s childhood, with memories of one’s youth embedded into each play thing, that one would belatedly feel pangs of guilt and shame for having conformed to today’s digitalised society.

Established in August this year, GohKaki Childhood Museum is helmed by lady boss Catherine Chang, a petite 26-year-old with a passion for toy preservation. 

Chang said that it was her father who first inspired her passion for toy preservation.

“Contrary to popular belief, these toys were not forced to retreat into this establishment for an early retirement,” Chang said with a smile.

“They do still serve their purpose whenever traditional games lovers gather. The folks would have a field of a day with the assortment of games we have here.

“They would come in and swap comical anecdotes and experiences over a game of Chinese checkers.”

The brainchild of Chang’s parents, a few business partners and herself, GohKaki Childhood Museum was created with the aim of starting off a chemical reaction of sorts on different age groups based on the traditional games that were popular at the time.

“To date, we have collected around 148 different traditional games that are played both indoor and outdoor, ranging from the 1950s to the 1990s.

“We have begun conducting events and workshops for children in order to accommodate to their parents’ requests as well.

“Since children are naturally curious, they would insist on being very hands-on in everything they do. So we would show them how to make their own do-it-yourself kites or we would teach them how to fold coconut leaves into grasshoppers.

“We try to take the innovative approach when establishing common ground with these children. Take the slingshot for example. We would start off by asking if they have played Angry Birds before. Do they notice the slingshots used in the game are similar to this? I would then hold up the tangible object.

“So, this is how you get the ball rolling because children are always eager to have a go at the real thing.

 “It is one of the best ways to reconnect them to their heritage and culture without the direct involvement of technological devices.”

While the children acquaint themselves with the motley of traditional games in the museum, Chang and co will attempt to educate them on some of life’s lessons through the games as well.

“Take hopscotch for instance. It is the most popular traditional game played across the world. Before they start playing though, we would advise them that when they throw the stone into the hopscotch plan, sometimes, they would be unable to get into the number that they want. But it is okay, we would encourage them to try again.

“It is much like the workings of our lives, every so often we hope to achieve something that we desire most in life except that it is unattainable at the moment. But that does not mean that we should not try again.”

It takes a collective effort from all parties to pique the children’s interest in the local traditional games but SEGI College student, Cheah Sieu-Fern is unsure if the parents are altogether up for the challenge.

“The onslaught of technology is much greater now. Even the parents these days are technology savvy and what is more, children tend to emulate their parents. They observe and they copy their parents’ every action.

“So regardless of how long and hard these parents work at introducing their offspring to the local traditional games, it will only take a matter of minutes to go back to square one again.

Cheah Sieu-Fern at GohKaki Childhood Museum, "I am not ready to let go of my childhood just yet."

“Personally speaking, I think it is difficult for children today to phantom how scores of Generation Y in Malaysia were able to keep themselves occupied with inconsequential items like rubber bands and small stones for days and months on end without losing the slightest bit of interest in these objects.

“Of course we did have televisions growing up but we were not encouraged to have our faces plastered to its screen for more than two hours or so. Thus, we kept busy by letting our imaginations wander.

 “The toys that we thought up were personifications of our collective ingenuity and creativity. But I strongly believe that now however, they have been relegated to the status of generational artefacts,” she said.

Nur Amira Sollehah, 22, added that the youths nowadays are sorely missing out on the youthful camaraderie of the old.

“The memories of evenings spent at the playground and along the goh kaki (five-foot-way) playing gasing (spinning tops), batu seremban (seven stones) and ketingting (hopscotch) amid boisterous cheers and friendly jeers...

Batu Seremban (Seven Stones) is a traditional game played by young girls in the past. 

“… It is hard to replicate priceless memories like these today, not when technology comes into play.”

It is undeniable that the lure of technology has eclipsed the lustre of our local traditional games. But Chang was quick to point out that cohabitation between traditional games and technological devices is still possible in a child’s life.

“I believe both are beneficial when it comes to moulding the minds of children. Traditional games promote physical activity whilst gaming applications induce children to think critically.

“That said though, communication problems may develop amongst youngsters if too much time has been spent on computer games. If this happens, traditional games often come in handy for parents to coax their children out of their anti-social shells.

“Many do not realise this, but traditional games require a minimum of at least two players. Take the tug-of-war game for example; it is crucial for the team members to interact with one another in order to win.

“These activities not only prevent a communication barrier from forming between children, they also facilitate in strengthening familial bonds as well.

“The way I see it, parents must assume the role of teaching their children the importance of preserving our traditional games while still allowing them to be technology savvy.”

For more information on GohKaki Childhood Museum,

Please visit their Facebook page at:

https://www.facebook.com/gohkakichildhoodmuseum/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

Or call +0125169825

References

Museum.gohkaki.com, (2015). ChildhoodMuseum. [online] Available at: http://museum.gohkaki.com/childhoodmuseum.html [Accessed 18 Dec. 2015].

nkkhoo.com, (2015). Traditional games played by Malaysian children during the olden days. [online] Available at: http://www.nkkhoo.com/2011/08/01/games-played-by-malaysian-children-when-there-was-no-tv-and-computer-games/ [Accessed 18 Dec. 2015]

Terengganutourism.com, (2015). Terengganu traditional games, gasing spining, kite flying, congkak, Malaysia.. [online] Available at: http://www.terengganutourism.com/traditional_games.htm [Accessed 18 Dec. 2015].

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Bremen Wong, Malaysia’s Only Hat-Maker

Meet Bremen Wong, Malaysia’s only hat-maker. A native of Sabah, Wong traded his suit and tie for a career in millinery fashion after discovering the headpieces he created and sold at bazaars and flea markets were a huge hit amongst his customers.

The 42-year-old sat down with us to talk about his craft and what it takes to break into the local fashion industry.

Would you say you fell into the millinery business by accident?

Oh, definitely. I was working as a textile business development manager in Carrefour and moonlighting as a small time businessman at the pasar malam (flea market) before making a spontaneous career change. But everything developed and progressed really organically since I made the switch to millinery fashion.

How do you feel about becoming Malaysia’s sole milliner?

To be honest, there are loads of pros and cons when your career is one of its kind in Malaysia.  But I am a very optimistic person; I try to see the glass half full. So every struggle that I had to overcome since starting out has taught me to understand and appreciate my talent all the more.

Miss Universe Malaysia, Vanessa Tevi clad in Wong's Bunga Mas design for the Miss Universe 2015 event in Las Vegas. Sourced from Wong's Instagram account

Did you teach yourself the art of millinery?

You know, you have to, when you are the only milliner in Malaysia (laughs). It was and still is a learning process for me. In the early days, no one really understood my style, my hats were sometimes looked upon as too avant garde, too dramatic or too bold. But that is how you get better at it, through trial and error.

How did you receive your big break?

I collaborated with Project Runway Malaysia’s alumnus Alexander Yeoh. I would say that was my first big break into the local fashion scene. The opportunity opened many doors for me.

Where do you get the inspiration for your hat designs from?

I am a self-professed kampung (village) boy. Most of my inspirations come from nature, the sea and mountains back in Sabah. I channel the energy around me and use those emotions to create my designs. In a way, my designs are also fragmented stories of my life. Each hat I design carries a little bit of my identity in them.

What is the highlight of your millinery career?

I had the opportunity to represent Asia for the Who’s Next Premiere Classe exhibition in Paris last year.

 

Wong’s ‘Flowing Zen Hat’ displayed at the Premiere Classe Exhibition in Paris.- Photo sourced from Wong’s Instagram account.

 You once said that it is tough to expand the millinery market and demand in Malaysia. In your opinion, has your view on it change? Are Malaysians out and about with couture hats a common sight now?

I do not think Malaysians wear fancy hats as much as they do caps or simpler hats because of the high price point of couture hats. If anything, Malaysians only wear avant garde hats for special events or when attending fashion shows.

 So, it is quite tough for me, as a milliner, to expand the market and demand in Malaysia. But I believe that this will soon change. The Malaysian fashion scene boasts an eclectic mix of cultures, with art and fashion becoming more prominent these days. So, working hand in hand with fashion, I believe millinery fashion will soon have a stronger presence in Malaysia.

Do you have a project you are currently working on?

Well, I am currently putting on the finishing touches to my solo runway show and exhibition next year. I am also planning to incorporate my designs in home décor as well, like lamp shades because hats make good lamp shades. (laughs)

“My hat designs are all white in colour. Why? Well, because the colour white represents originality.” - Photo sourced from Wong’s Instagram account.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I will probably move to London or Paris to further develop my millinery career.

For more information on Wong’s couture designs, do not hesitate to click on the link to his website:

http://www.bremenwong.com/

or visit his Instagram account at:

https://www.instagram.com/bremenwong/

Calm Your Nerve, Spread Your Love

Photo source from Desmond Wen Xian.

Han Chiang College students are taking a stand in the fight against domestic violence with their very own Deactivation Awareness Campaign.

One of the many taboo subjects rarely discussed in conservative Malaysia, the campaign is one the few daring enough to challenge the public to take heed of the matter.

“Age notwithstanding, we feel that it is our collective duty to spread awareness of domestic violence happening behind closed doors. One might never know if the victim happens to be one’s own mother, daughter or even a close friend.

Public Relations and Advertising students showing their support against domestic violence.- Photo source from Deactivation Awareness Campaign. 

“Domestic violence is a vicious cycle. When a couple argues, it usually starts off tame enough with shouting matches but it is only a matter of time before the rage morphs into something uncontrollable, more violent.

“So with that in mind, our Deactivation Awareness Campaign aims to go back to the very beginning to deactivate the threat before it becomes potentially aggressive and harmful,” said Campaign Programmer, Desmond Wen Xian.

The campaign is in collaboration with Women’s Centre for Change, Penang (WCC) and is a sub-campaign for Penang Goes Orange, an initiative by the Penang Women’s DevelopmentCorporation to educate and eliminate violence against women.

“The effort is to let the victims know that they are not alone in this and that there are organisations that are more than willing to assist them, be it counselling sessions or a place to stay.

“We also endeavour to curb and hopefully eradicate the innate potential violence of would-be abusers by allowing them a sizeable glimpse of the fear, terror and shame these women experience at the hands of their abusers through our Purple Dot Short Film Competition.

The winners of the Purple Dot Short Film Competition posing with their prizes.

“That said our message, at the end of the day, is to spread love, not violence.” 

For further information about these organisations, please visit:
Women's Centre for Change's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/wccpenang/?fref=nf   

Penang Women’s Development Corporation at http://pwdc.org.my/content/home/index/site:pwdc-link:8360