Folk Games and Sports |201
• Ma Kan Kluai (Banana rib hobbyhorse riding) (above)
• Mural painting on the balcony of Wat Phra Sri Rattana
Satsadaram or Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
• Ngu Kin Hang ( Snatching a baby from the mother
snake) (Below)
• Ri Ri Khao San (Catching the last one in the line)
Children’s folk play has multiple forms and variations in each
region. For example, chasing play is called Suea Kin Wua (Tiger eats
cow) in the South; Ma Lai Han (dog chases goose) in the Central region;
Maew Kin Namman (cat eats oil) for the North. Some types of folk play
help enhance observation skills and thinking, such as Ling Ching Lak
(monkeys scrambling for posts) and Khai Tangmo (selling watermelon).
There is also folk play for children to practice the role of adulthood and
adapt local materials to creative ideas and imaginative shapes such
as Khi Ma Kan Kluai (Banana rib hobbyhorse riding) that banana rib is
cut into a horse shape. Another example is Pi To Sang (stubble music
instrument) that children bring dried rice stubble to blow as a woodwind
music instrument and create a tempo. Some play is composed of
beautiful melodies such as lyrics, Chan Chao (the moon), Fon Tok Fa
Rong (rain and thunder). Some folk play train children’s comprehensive
knowledge by using puzzles and riddles which are popular in every region.
It is obvious that Thai children’s folk play enables children to make use
of their free time. It also contributes to the development of physical
growth, emotions, intellect, harmony and compassion for others.
Games of children and adults are for fun such as Chakka Yer
(Tug of war), Luk Chuang (cloth-wrapped ball), Ngu Kin Hang (Snatching
a baby from the mother snake), Khong Tin Kwian (Isan or Northeastern
region), Tang Tae, Mai Hueng, Ri Ri Khaosan, Mon Son Pha (Hiding
a cloth behind one’ s back), Saba, Mae Sri, Khlong Chang (looping of
elephants) and kite flying. Particularly for adults, folk games are often
related to occupations, mainly farmers. Games in the Central region
are mostly about rice farming. In addition to relieving stress, playing
games is an opportunity for young people to get to know and enjoy with
others based on good culture. Games are often in the type of native
songs and music using interactive languages such as rice-harvesting
songs, Roi Chang song, Ten Kam Ram Khiao (dance with the sickle)
song and Song Fang song.
“ ‘Play’ is different from ‘plays’ which
people perform for others, separating
players from watchers by a boundary or
stage for players. ”