1. Origin

Besimbang or playing Simbang is a game which originates from Sedanau district, Riau islands, Indonesia. Besimbang is equivalent to bekel (western jacks) but with a difference in that besimbang is made of cockle shells or snail shells meanwhile the bekel is of rubber or other elastic materials. This game has been widely recognized since the Riau Sultanate in the 17^th century.    

2. Players

Besimbang commonly played by 2-6 girls whose age in between 6-7 years. It is unusual for a boy playing besimbang.  

3. Place and Tools

This game requires no spacious place. Hence, it can be played everywhere such as in balcony, terrace, porch, or living room. Girls usually play besimbang for waiting maghrib (afternoon prayer Moslem time), leisure after mengaji (reciting the Qur’an) or while keeping garden. Tools which are used for this game are pelambung and 5-6 simbang both made of shells. Small stone can also be used as simbang.   

4. Rule and Process of the Game

There are two ways for playing the basimbang; main nyurang (individual) and main barundung (collective). Nyurang requires 2-4 players while barundung needs 3-6 players. Both ways have similar rule

When the game is started, the pelambung is held in the hand of the player and dropped the pelambung and then picks the simbang. In a throw, player should pick the simbang outnumbering beforeward (player picks a simbang in the first throw, two simbang in the second, three in the third throw and so on). If the player has successfully picked up all of the simbang, he then gets a point. Conversely, if the player failed in picking the simbang while throwing the pelambung, or in accounting the simbang that should be picked, he will be disqualified and changed by other players.

However, nyurang is distinct from barundung, in that players in nyurung sit in form of circle and get the turn as clockwise while in barundung their turn is decided alternately (player group, opponent group, player group, etc). Considering that this game requires adroitness and skill, usually it is played by girls above five years old.

There are many versions in form of pelambung. Recently, marble, jacks, tennis ball and other subjects which can bounce replace the shell

5. Cultural Values

Values offered in the basimbang game are accuracy and fairness. Accuracy is reflected in throwing the pelambung upward and picking the simbang simultaneously. The players are demanded to stay focus on the amount of simbang. This movement requires both skill and calculation. Acceptance to be either winner or looser indicates the value of fairness

Source :

Balai Kajian Sejarah dan Nilai Tradisional Riau, 1984, Permainan Rakyat Daerah Riau, Departemen Pendidikan Dan Kebudayaan.

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