Balogo Game (Banjar - South Kalimantan)

1. Origin

Balogo, a game which uses logo, is a folk game of Banjar ethnic in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Before loosing its popularity in 80s due to emergence of electronically modern games, this game was very prevalent among the Banjarneese.     

2. Player

This game which requires 2 – 5 players is performed by children and adults and usually by men 

3. Place and Tools

Balogo game requires two important tools; logo and panapak, also called as campa in other regions. The logo was made of shell of coconut, 5-7 cm in diameter, and its thickness is about 1-2 cm. To make the logo heavier and stronger, two shells are combined and attached each other. Shapes of logo are varied which usually imitate the shape of animal such as bidawang (land turtle), biuku (turtle), or other shapes such as triangle form, kite flying form, leaves, and circular form. Panapak is a stick, 40 cm in length and 2 cm in width, which is used to hit and push the logo to makeit possible to bring down the opponent‘s logo. 

4. Rule and Process

This game can be played either individually or collectively. In collective game, the number of naik (players who start the game and throw the logo) should be equal to that of pasang (who set up the logo). Number of the logo depends on the number of the players which are usually around 2-5 people.

Setting up the logo is putting it behind a crossing line in order. Core of the game is skill to throw the logo and bring down the opponent‘s. To win the game, players should get high total point by bringing down the logo. The winner team is called janggut (beard) and entitled to touch the opponents beard or chin. When doing this, usually they yell repeatedly the word janggut…janggut….

5. Cultural Values

This game both offers pleasure, enjoyment, and provides ranges of cultural values such as skill, hard work, teamwork, and fairness. Skill is reflected from setting up the logo which requires special technique. Hard work can be seen when the players are trying to bring down the opponent‘s logo. Team work value emerges in collaboration of players in a team to have similar vision in winning the game. Fairness is evident when the looser allow his chin touched by the winners.    

Source : Anak Sultan, March 29, 2007 in  www.kerajaanbanjar.wordpress.com

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