Playing to prepare for adulthood: the games of kanome children
List of Authors
  • Sri Murni

Keyword
  • Kanome, malind, marind, traditional games, merauke, papua

Abstract
  • This research focuses on Kanome children’s traditional games aims to answer several questions: what are the traditional children’s games in Kanome? What are the functions of the traditional games for the lives of the children? Why are the traditional games played today? This study aims to identify and document the types of games, the functions and the cultural values embodied in the Kanome traditional games. The data is taken through qualitative method by conducting in-depth interviews and observation. The research finds that games such as tai-tai, kiri mbal-bal, and mbanti have the following functions: (i) to prepare a child for adulthood (ii) as a means of recreation, (iii) as a means of media learning, (iv) to flourish the children’s creativity (developing intellectual character), (v) to teach honesty and sportsmanship; (vi) to show a friendly and mutual cooperation, (vii) to sharpen the skills of the children, (viii) to give meanings of social, environmental, and natural interactions. (ix) to enjoy kumbili harvests.

Reference
  • 1. Badan Pusat Statistik Kabupaten Merauke. (2011). Merauke dalam Angka 2011[Merauke in Figure 2011]. Merauke: BPS Kabupaten Merauke.
    2. Boelaars, Jan. (1986). Manusia Irian Dahulu, Sekarang, Masa Depan [Papuans in the past, present, and future]. Jakarta: PT Gramedia.
    3. Danandjaja, James. (2002). Folklor Indonesia. Ilmu Gosip, Dongeng, dan lain-lain [Indonesian Folklore: Gossips, Fairytales, etc]. Jakarta: Grafiti
    4. Depdikbud. Direktorat Jendral Kebudayaan, Direktorat Permuseuman. (1998). Permainan Tradisional Indonesia [Indonesian traditional games]. Jakarta: Direktorat Permuseuman.
    5. Dundes, Alan. (1980). Interpretating Folklore. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.
    6. Dundes and Bronner, S.J. (2007). The Meaning of Folkore. The Analytical Essays of Alan Dundes. Utah: Utah State University Press. http://www.silentblade.com/presentations/BostanTURANFINAL.PDF
    7. Gebze, J.G. (2009). Animha dari Timur Nusantara [Animha from western Indonesia]. Merauke: KMAGBook. Hage, Per (1981). “On Male Initiation and Dual Organisation in New Guinea”. Man, New Series, Vol. 16. No.2, pp. 268 – 275. Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. https://www.google.com/search?q=peta+kabupaten+merauke&rlz=1C1TSNF_e MY46MY465&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=mB_Puj5mPZNVUM%253A%252 EF5dOirIULN3M%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQd4RUQNz55pjpsBTWw7L UTCOXmQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiw1-Cl17vhAhUhg YKHWRdBZgQ9QEwAHoECAgQBA&biw=1366&bih=613#imgrc=mB_Puj5mPZN UM:
    8. Nature-Views 40 Countries in the World: Wisdom of Where in Lives with Nature. (2004). Youth Friendship Association in Japan Institue of Field Culture Research.
    9. Murni, Sri. (2008). ”Permainan Tradisional dan Pembentukan Watak Anak bagi Pembangunan Berkelanjutan” [traditional games to socialise children for a sustainable development]. The paper is presented in Simposium Internasional Jurnal Antropologi Indonesia “The Future of Indonesia : Sustainable Development and Local Initiatives in the Post Capitalist Era” July 22-26 July, 2008, Lambung Mangkurat University, Banjarmasin Indonesia.
    10. Schwartzman, Helen B. (1976). “The Anthropological Study of Children’s Play”. Annual Reviews, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2949315.
    11. Smith, Brian Sutton. (1989). “Children's Folk Games as Customs” in Western Folklore, Vol. 48, No. 1 (Jan., 1989), pp. 33-42. Published by: Western States Folklore Society. Traditional Field Play and Games of Asia and The South Pacific. Wisdom of Juvenile Education for the Future Civilization (2003). Youth Friendship Association in Japan Institue of Field Culture Research.
    12. Tucker, Elizabeth (2008). Children’s Folklore : A Handbook. USA: Greenwood Press. http://staff.uny.ac.id/sites/default/files/pendidikan/else-liliani-ssmhum/childrens-folklore handbook.pdf
    13. Yuzo, Morita. (2006). Traditional Field Play and Games of 71 Countries in the World. Wisdom of Juvenile Education for the Future Civilization. Youth Friendship Association in Japan Institue of Field Culture Research.