1. The Origin

Abbatu Samba is a popular game among Bugis Makassar society, especially Bonto Bahari society in Bulukamba regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Over the years, the game has long been recognized by the society for generations. However, when the game made first its appearance is unknown.     

From three different words, ab, batu, and samba, the abbatu samba is the combination thereof. In local language (Bugis-Makassar language with Bontok Bahari dialect), ab literally means doing something, batu means seed, and samba means tamarind. Therefore, the abbatu samba is a game using tamarind seed as the main equipment. In this context, the tamarind seeds are arranged in the small hole whose side is marked with a circle line. The core game is collecting as much as possible the other`s seed by tossing batu pengngambak toward the tamarind seeds. The more the player strikes the seeds, the more he collects them. 

Compared to the past, there is small difference in rule of the present abbatu samba game. The hole was not marked with a circle line. Hence, the seeds which were out of the hole would be taken by the players. While in the present, not only out of the hole, the seeds should be out of the circle line.    

2. The Player

In general, the abbatu samba game, which is categorized as an individual game, is played by 2-4 children ranging from 6-12 years old.

3. The Place of the Game

Since the game needs only a small hole, it does not require a spacious land. Diameter of the hole is just 10 cm and its depth is 5 cm.  The game should be played on the ground/land such as house yard or square. 20 cm around the hole, the line circle is made to decide whether the seed can be taken by other players or not. Before tossing the seeds, the players usually squat 1 meter around the hole.    

4. The Tools of the Game

The main equipment for the abbatu samba game is some tamarind seeds and one big heavy seed which serves as the batu pengngambak. The big seed is selected to knock down the arranged seeds within the hole. The amount of tamarind seeds is agreed among the players.

5. The Rule of the Game

The core rule of the game is tossing the batu pengngambak toward the arranged seeds within the hole. There are some rules should be abided by the players:

1. The players should squat while tossing his batu pengngambak.
2. The players should be outside of the circle line.
3. The players will be changed if their batu failed in hitting the seeds. 
4. The players will take the seeds if the seeds along with their batu out of the circle line. In this case, he gets another turn to toss.
5. The players will get the immediate winning if his batu still in the circle line and other seeds are out of the circle.

The seeds taken by the other players are called baha.

6. The Process

The process of the abbatu samba game is divided into five phases:

1. Sipekke (agreement): to decide the turn of player`s order, who will be the first player tosses the batu pengngambak, the second, and the next and so on. The turn is usually decided by gambreng or suit which are conducted if the players are two or more than two respectively.
2. Mallele (picking up): the first player will pick up the opponent`s seeds (6-10 seeds)
3. Ammolik (arranging): the collected seeds will be arranged in the hole.
4. Mengngambak (tossing): the first player who squat around the hole will toss his batu pengngambak toward the seeds.  
5. Nisambe (changing): the first player will be changed if he fails in targeting the seeds

The game will end if all the seeds within the hole are taken by the players. The winner is decided upon the total seeds got during the game. Usually the winner is called acakkarak while the looser is called carruk. 

7. Cultural Values

The values embedded within the game are the value of adroitness, accuracy and fairness. Those values can be seen from players` attempt to knocking down the seeds, their skill at tossing the pengngambak. In addition, the value of fairness is reflected from the players` acceptance toward the result of the game. The players should hand over their seeds if the other successfully hit their seeds. (HQ/ter/28/7-07)

Source:

Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. 1980. Permainan Anak-Anak Daerah Sulawesi Selatan. Ujung Pandang: Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan.

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