Malaysia

In Malaysia, the majority Malay community, the Chinese, the Indians, and the Europeans have all contributed in different ways to the wide and diverse number of pastimes available in the country. The nation consisted [Page 373]of a number of kingdoms until the arrival of the British, who established colonial rule over the region in a myriad of guises, resulting in the establishment of the Straits Settlements (which included Singapore), the state of Johor, the Federated Malay States, the Unfeder-ated Malay States, North Borneo (ruled by the North Borneo Company), and Sarawak (technically independent, but with a British rajah). The first four, with the exception of Singapore, came together to form Malaya in 1957, and they all came together as the Federation of Malaysia in 1963; Singapore left the area in 1965.

The games played by the Malay community have included bull-fighting and other tests of strength. However, many traditional pursuits persist, including dancing, playing music, and Main Wau, the making and flying kites. Kites tends to be more popular in the northern states of West Malaysia, especially in Kelantan, although they can be found throughout the country. Their shape is unique to Malaysia, with a central support holding together a large sideways oval piece of stretched cloth, and a curved tail in the shape of a bow. Shadow puppets {wayang kulit) are also common, and many children make their own puppets from cardboard. There are also board games such as the game Main Rimau (Tiger Game), which is especially popular in Kelantan. Another game which dates back to at least the 17th century—it is mentioned in the Sejarah Melayu by Tun Sri Lanang—is Sepak Raga, played with a ball made from woven rattan that has to be kept in the air for as long as possible. The version now often played by schools and community groups is Sepak Tackraw, with two opposing teams rather than a number of individual players. Other Malay games include Belaga Buah Keras, played by two people and mainly in Pahang, and Tebar Jala (Throwing the Casting Net), particularly good for small children.

In the Chinese community, Chinese games are mainly played, especially Mahjong, with sessions lasting many hours, often from the afternoon to early the following morning. Chinese Chess is also still very popular, in spite of the easy availability of Indian/European Chess. Most Chinese games are played indoors, although children—Chinese, Malay, Indian and European—can be seen in the streets role-playing, playing Hide-and-Seek, playing Hopscotch, or more commonly now, playing soccer. Badminton and, to a lesser extent, volleyball, have also become extremely popular, as has Ping Pong, especially among Chinese teenagers.

The British brought large numbers of recreational sports with them to Malaya, and there are amateur cricket clubs and places for playing rugby, golf, and polo. The former British clubs such as the Selangor Club and the Malacca Club provide a venue for many games. There are now also many youth clubs around the country being used for billiards, darts, and access to jukeboxes and pinball machines. There are also amusement arcades in some cities, especially Kuala Lumpur, and a number of bowling alleys.

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