Check Out The Game Of 'kercang’ At Madani Govt One Year Anniversary Programme

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- At a glance, kercang may seem like a simple game but who would have thought that this traditional Orang Asli game actually tests your mind and patience?

Made from rattan that is arranged in layers according to the level of difficulty, players need to remove the rope that is in the centre of the layer to win the game.

A visit to the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) booth at the MADANI Government One Year Anniversary Programme on the grounds of the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil proved to be an eye-opener for 23-year-old Nursyamimi Atikah Saari.

"I never thought there’s a traditional game that is this difficult. I tried 10 times but still couldn't get it right.

"Almost gave up. Luckily, I got it right at the 11th time of asking but, trust me, this game needs you to put on your thinking cap and have lots of patience if you are to win it,” said the Universiti Malaya student when met by Bernama at the MOTAC booth.

Nursyamimi, who is from Jerantut, Pahang, was thankful that she managed to get to know and learn the game, despite its intricate and challenging moves, and felt that it should be introduced to the younger generation.

That is why Department of National Heritage museum assistant Suhamiah Yusof said they have been actively promoting the game at department and ministry programmes in the past few years, in the hope that more of the younger generation will learn about it.

She said kercang was invented by the Orang Asli community to play during their free time and sharpen the minds of their children, who did not attend school, but because of changing times, the game was slowly forgotten and only highlighted as a performance or when welcoming guests.

"The main aim of this game is to remove the rope from the rattan arranged in layers, which is akin to trying to find a way out of getting lost in the forest,” she said.

Suhamiah said there are five types and levels of difficulty to the game, namely kercang kahwin, kercang panah, satu lapis, dua lapis and tiga lubang. 

"Kercang kahwin was designed to pick a prospective son-in-law, the man who can solve the riddle will be chosen to marry the girl in the family,” said Suhamiah, who said that kercang was recognised as a national heritage in 2018.

The highlight of the three-day MADANI Government One Year Anniversary Programme at the grounds of the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil is the closing ceremony that will be officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at 3 pm today.

-- BERNAMA