Games of Yesteryear
- Date: 20 October 2017 to 30 June 2018
- Venue: Changing Gallery, Singapore Sports Museum
Traditional games and sports are activities that serve to bind intimate human associations into larger, more abstract entities. Games and sports have two universal characteristics – they are contested and they have rules. Games and sports are as invaluable as other oral or written traditions when it comes to heritage in the Southeast Asian region.
Traditional games of the Southeast Asian region have managed to transcend social divides and contributed to the uniqueness of Singapore’s cultural heritage. Though simple, these games have cultural and social value as they encouraged children to exercise innovativeness and helped develop their social skills, especially in fostering team spirit in school and in the neighbourhood. Traditional games also serve as a culture-creating activity; where one can gain an understanding of the culture by simply observing the nature of these games.
Most traditional games of Singapore were adapted from indigenous games found in Southeast Asia. Games like congkak, capteh, gasing and others are still commonly played in communities in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Most of the games and sports featured here are indigenous to the people of this region and serve as forms of recreation, entertainment and education.
This exhibition aims to provide a glimpse of some of the games played in yesteryears and hope to evoke a sense of nostalgia for the generation of “veteran” players to rekindle their interest and pass on the tradition of these games to the next generation.
Artefact Highlights
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Gasing
Gasing or top spinning is a traditional game of the Malays and was a popular pastime and recreation among children and adults alike that lived in villages. In Singapore, however, its popularity declined as more and more people moved to public housing.
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Congkak
Congkak is a game for two players using a board which has several holes carved out. The word congkak refers to the cowrie shells used in the game but is also believed to originate from the old Malay word meaning ‘mental calculation’ which is an asset in the game.
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Sepak Takraw
Sepak Takraw (or was better known as Sepak Raga) was originally played for recreation and has since evolved into a competitive sport. The game was initially common only to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei but has also gained popularity in other Southeast Asian countries. Sepak is the Malay word for kick and takraw is the Thai word for woven ball. Therefore, sepak takraw literally means to kick ball.
Opening Hours
- Weekdays: 10am to 8pm
- Weekends, Eve of Public Holidays and Public Holidays: 10am to 9pm
Monthly Children Activity Workshop
This is a monthly hands-on children activity workshop which will be held at the Singapore Sports Museum on every last Saturday of the month. Participants aged 4 to 6 years old will be guided to create their own Olympic medals to encourage creativity and develop fine motor skills. In addition, participants will be exposed to the history and significance of medals in the Olympic Games.
Activity Details
- Title: Children Activity Workshop
- Date: Every last Saturday of the month
- Time: 2pm – 3pm and 3.30pm – 4.30pm
- Duration: 45 minutes to an hour
- Location: Singapore Sports Museum
- Meeting Point: Sports Hub Visitor Centre
- Free Admission: Children aged 4 to 6 years old*
*Admission is subject to availability of the slots (maximum of 15 slots). Slots are based on a first-come-first-serve basis. Each child aged between four to six years old must be accompanied by at least one adult.
Credit: image of Singapore Sports Hub
Age
4+
Telephone number
+65 6653 8900
Links
Address
SingaporeNational Stadium 1 Stadium Drive Singapore 397629, Singapore Indoor Stadium 2 Stadium Walk Singapore 397691,
How to get there?
The Singapore Sports Hub is easily accessible via all transport modes. Public transport by MRT and bus are the easiest forms of transport to get here.
By MRT:
- Via the Circle Line:
Stadium MRT Station (CC6) is the nearest station which exits directly into the Singapore Sports Hub.
Mountbatten MRT Station (CC7) is approximately 600m walking distance from Singapore Sports Hub. This also serves as an alternative station via the Circle Line for leaving the venue.
- Via the East West Line:
Kallang MRT Station (EW10) is approximately 600m walking distance under a sheltered walkway to the Singapore Sports Hub.