# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
The image shows Bajau community that was captured by cc creative commons in 2018 from Wikipedia.

# data[].attributes.body
The Bajau people, also known as sea gypsies or sea nomads, are an indigenous group of people who traditionally live on the water in Southeast Asia. They are known for their diving skills and unique cultural practices.

The sad part is that the Bajau are not recognized by any citizen. Although the Bajau originate from Sabah, which is still part of Malaysia's territory, the Malaysian government does not want to recognize them as Malaysian citizens.

Unlike normal people who live on land, the Bajau live on their boats. They are therefore nomadic and move from one place to another at sea, which has earned them the nickname sea gypsies. Their activities are mainly carried out on the boat.

# data[].attributes.body
In this padlet, I will bring you to explore the traditional games of various and unique ethnics. I am sure you will receive a lot of knowledge from this padlet. Let's be enjoy by reading this together!

# data[].attributes.body
Bisaya

Who are they?

Where do they live?

Famous kristang people.

Extra information.

What is their traditional game?

How to play their traditional game?

Tagu-taguan's song.

Does adult also play tagu-taguan?

How to be the winner?

Reference.

Kadazan-dusun

Who are they?

Where do they live?

What is their traditional game?

How to play their traditional game?

Tutorial how to play it.

Tutorial how to make the walking stick.

Reference.

Bajau

Who are they?

Where do they live?

What is their traditional game?

How to play their traditional game?

Tutorial how to play bajau boat races.

Extra information.

Reference.

Melanau

Who are they?

Where do they live?

What is their traditional game?

How to play their traditional game?

Tutorial how play it.

Reference.

Kristang

Who are they?

Where do they live?

What is their traditional game?

How to play their traditional game?

How to win the game?

Reference.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
cc creative commons (7 June 2016). Wikipedia.

# data[].attributes.body
Traditional game is a type of game that has been played by people for generations, usually passed down through oral tradition rather than formal rules or instructions. These games are often tied to a specific culture or community and reflect its values, history, and way of life.

Malaysia has a rich with variety of traditional games. It is often reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the country’s diverse ethnic groups, including Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Indigenous communities. These games are usually simple, require minimal equipment, and are often played outdoors by children and adults alike. They serve as a way to promote unity, creativity, physical activity, and social bonding within communities.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
The image shows the Bisaya community at a festival captured by cc creative commons (April 4, 2020).

# data[].attributes.body
The Bisaya are the indigenous people of northwestern Borneo in Malaysia, concentrated above the Padas River and below Beaufort in the state of Sabah and the northern state of Sarawak. They are of Malay descent and possibly related to the Visayan in the Philippines. Their populations are concentrated around the cities of Beaufort and Kuala Penyu in southern Sabah.

Their villages, consisting of houses built on stilts, are built on the banks of the rivers. Traditionally they cultivate dry rice, sago palms, vegetables and rubber by slash-and-burn, but increasingly they are also growing wet rice. Bisaya kinship is organized into high-ranking ambilineal descent groups, in which the form of the marriage ceremony determines whether the child belongs to the mother’s or the father’s clan. Their religion is a mixture of traditional beliefs and Islam. (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
The picture shows a place where the Bisaya community is located.

# data[].attributes.body
In Sarawak, a state on the island of Borneo in Malaysia, there is also the Bisaya ethnic group, although they are fewer in number compared to other indigenous groups.

The Bisaya in Sarawak live mainly in the northwestern part of the state, especially along the coastal areas.

For example, they live in Baram, a district in northern Sarawak where Bisaya communities live, especially in villages along the Baram River. The Bisaya villages are located along the riverbanks and each has a row of rice granaries. True Bisaya villages consist of permanent settlements of two or more houses, one of which is a "longhouse" These rectangular structures are built on stilts 10-15 feet above the ground. Each has a veranda where guests are received and important ceremonies are held. Each longhouse also includes four or more dwellings for family members. (Joshua Project 2025)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This picture shows Bisaya children playing tagu-tagu. It was taken by Jeizwannahavfun (2018) on Steemit.

# data[].attributes.body
Tagu-tagu or hide and seek is the classic game but with an ethnic variation of Bisaya where one player counts while the others hide. The player must search and tag the others before they return to a designated "safe zone" These games encourage community interaction, physical activity and fun.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This video showed that the children of Bisaya community played tagu-taguan.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Players need to “Umpyang” first. Umpyang means to choose who’s gonna be the first seeker of the game by flipping their hands together.

2. Players need to find a Base. So what’s the base for? simple, it is where the whole game will be centered because if you are the seeker you will need to touch the base if you saw a hider and if you are a hider you need to touch the base first before the seeker touch so that you can be save and no chance to be a seeker because if the seeker touch the base first you might probably the new seeker or “taya”.

3. Its either you can be saved or you save other hiders. If there are already hiders found by the seeker you have a chance to save them by touching the base in not getting caught but if you are the only one left hiding and other hiders are already save you have no chance anymore to save by others the only thing you can do is to save yourself by touching the base before you’ve been found or touching it first when the seeker already saw you.

4. Players only have limited time at least 10-15 seconds for them to find a place where to hide into and players cannot hide in front, back, side, top, and bottom nearby the base.

5. Seeker should close his/her eyes while counting and not allowed to use any lighting objects in finding the hiders.

6. All players should know the counting song. If you were the seeker you will need to speak aloud the limited seconds for the hiders to hide but here is much cooler it is not just a simple counting but you need to sing the counting song.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hide and seek / Tagu-taguan 🫶🫶🫶 #larongpinoy #fypシ 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.embed_code
@teambfinds
Hide and seek / Tagu-taguan 🫶🫶🫶 #larongpinoy #fypシ
♬ Happy songs 3 for cooking / kids / animal videos - きっずさうんど

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
The image shows that Kadazan-dusun took a picture together.

# data[].attributes.body
The Kadazan-Dusun people, an indigenous group from the state of Sabah in Malaysia. They have a rich cultural heritage and traditional games play an important role in their community. They are also the largest ethnic group, making up about 1/3 of the population. Traditionally, they are mainly traditional farmers who grow paddy rice and highland rice as well as hunt and fish in ravines.(Sabah State Government, 2025)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This map taken from Google (2025) by Majlis Perbandaran Penampang.

# data[].attributes.body
Most Kadazan-Dusun live inland, usually along one of the many rivers and not in coastal areas. An exception are the coastal Kadazan-dusun who live along the west coast in the districts of Penampang and Papar.

Life in the villages is generally communal, but this is less the case in the urban areas. Although many hold on to certain aspects of their culture, the lifestyle of the Kadazan-dusun in the urban and developed areas is very different from that in the remote rural areas. (John Ragai, 2025)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
The image taken from Kadazandusun Language Foundation (2013). Google.

# data[].attributes.body
Rumbia, also known as the bamboo run, is a traditional game played by villagers in Sabah. In this game, participants walk on a bamboo beam or pole placed on the ground and have to keep their balance while walking from one end to the other. It tests both balance and agility, with the challenge increasing depending on the height or length of the beam.

The key to a successful stilt walk is to keep your balance. Usually bamboo poles are used that are about three to ten metres long. In the past, it was used to cross a river or a muddy path. Nowadays it is played during the harvest festival or in leisure time. (Chanteek Borneo, 2018)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This audio taken from halfway Point. (2024). Tiktok.

# data[].attributes.body
The kid who be the seeker will sing this song while finding his/her friends who are being hide. The song goes like this:

The seeker sings a song while the players are hiding in inconspicuous place.

The song goes like this:

Tagu-taguan, maliwanag ang buwan (Hide and seek, the moon is bright)

Masarap maglaro sa dilim-diliman (It is fun to play in the semi-dark night)

'Pag kabilang kong sampu (When I finish counting up to ten)

Nakatago na kayo (All of you should already been hidden)

Isa, dalawa, ... sampu! (One, two, ... ten!)

Another version of the chant goes:

Tagu-taguan, maliwanag ang buwan (Hide and seek, the moon is bright)

Wala sa likod, wala sa harap (Nobody in front, nobody behind)

'Pag kabilang kong sampu (When I finish counting up to ten)

Nakatago na kayo (All of you should already been hidden)

Isa, dalawa, ... sampu! (One, two, ... ten!)

After the count of ten, all players must hide their selves properly. Once a player is caught then he's out.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This video is about Kadazan-dusun community play rumbia that was uploaded on tiktok.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This video shows on how to make a bamboo stick walking from Asmita Vlogs in 2023 that was uploaded on Youtube.

# data[].attributes.body
This is how the Kadazan-Dusun usually make bamboo sticks with which they play rumbia. This is a very interesting way of making them. It also takes time, because they first have to find the bamboo sticks in the forest. Then they have to cut the bamboo sticks into the shape or length they want. Usually they cut it into three to ten metres.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Meet my father making and walking on High Bamboo stilt | Bamboo legs

# data[].attributes.body
So here's proof that it's not just children who like to play tagu-tagu, but adults too! But they've changed it a bit to adapt it to current technology by using a filter in the Tiktok platform. Adults seem to enjoy playing it just as much as the kids.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This map taken from Google (2018). ResearchGate.

# data[].attributes.body
Most Bajau live on a boat and their routine is fishing. The most famous characteristic of the Bajau is their strength when they dive into the sea. They can hold their breath longer than humans in general.

The Bajau swim and dive almost every day, which is why they have been nicknamed "Aquarius". Sometimes there is a boy who falls asleep in the water because he had so much fun diving.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This picture was taken by Destination Asian News. It shows that Bajau people held boat races among them to find out whose boat that have the fastest.

# data[].attributes.body
The Bajau people are known for their seafaring skills and boat races are a traditional competition between Bajau communities. These races usually take place during festivals or community events. Participants race in traditional boats (called "paraw" or "balangay"), demonstrating their speed, teamwork and navigation skills. The boat races are both competitive and festive and attract many people from the community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This video showed that Bajau community held a competition named Bajau Boat Races and this video was captured by metal.peace8 that was uploaded on Tiktok.

# data[].attributes.headline
Toturial on how to play bajau boat races.

# data[].attributes.subject
Toturial on how to play bajau boat races.

# data[].attributes.body
Participants compete in beautifully decorated lepa-lepa boat. Traditional dances and music are showcased. There's also a beauty pageant where participants are judged on the authenticity of their Bajau traditional attire. It is also includes cultural shows, sea sports, and sailing competitions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This picture was taken from Learn Melanau Blog and it showed that one of a Melanau family.

# data[].attributes.body
The Melanau people is an indigenous group from the coastal region of Sarawak in Malaysia that have a rich cultural heritage including a variety of traditional games that have been passed down through generations. These games often reflect the Melanau's connection to nature, community, and skills required for daily life. The Melanau are considered among the earliest settlers in Sarawak. The name Melanau was not used by the Melanau to refer to themselves until recently. They call themselves a-likou meaning 'people of the river'. Legend has it that the name Melanau was given by one of the Sultans of Brunei to the inhabitants of the coastal swamp flats and riverbanks of central Sarawak. (Joshua Project, 2025)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This is the map that show the place where Melanau community located in Sarawak and it was taken by Melanau Borneo website.

# data[].attributes.body
Melanau people live near the river and live in a low-lying swampy plain covered by dense tropical forest in the coastal region of Sarawak. That's why most of them are becoming farmers, fishermen, sago producers, and traders. Cultivation of sago palm, wet rice, coconut, and rubber supplements their economy. They are also regarded as being fine boat-builders and fishermen.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This image shows that Melanau people played tibow in the evening.

# data[].attributes.body
Tibow is one of Melanau Ethnic traditional game in Sarawak, Malaysia. It is a death-defying 20 foot high swing in which youth's dive from high bamboo scaffolding and catch a swinging rope as it reaches the high of it arc. It's more like climbing, jumping and swinging game. (Steemit, 2019)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This picture shows Kristang people and taken by a website named A Historical City of Malacca in year 2011.

# data[].attributes.body
The Kristang community is a Eurasian ethnic group of mixed Portuguese and Malaccan descent living in Malaysia. Some members of this ethnic group also have a Dutch and British heritage as well as a Chinese and Indian heritage due to intermarriages that were common among the Kristang. Most of them live in Malaysia, with the last major emigration taking place in the second half of the twentieth century. Today, elements of Kristang culture and identity, classified as endangered by UNESCO and the Red Book of Endangered Languages, are being culturally and linguistically revived in Malaysia. (Joshua Project, 2025)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This image shows a place where community of Kristang located.

# data[].attributes.body
The Kristang community can be separated into two groups:

- Lives in the Malacca Portuguese settlement and the majority of Malacca Portuguese people live in various cities all over Malaysia.

- Lives in the Malacca Portuguese settlement in a collectivistic community.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This image show us one of the famous kristang's people that was taken from Air Asia website.

# data[].attributes.body
It is easy to identify a Kristang person based on their last names which consist of the name Fernandes, Gomes, Dias de Souze, Peris and others. The Kristang people in Malaysia have the privilege of applying to be members of trust schemes which is known as Amanah Saham Bumiputera.

Tony Fernandes is he Malaysian entrepreneur best known as the CEO of AirAsia and one of the Kristang descent.

# data[].attributes.body
As for the Kristang community who live outside the Malacca Portuguese settlement, they make up the majority of kristang people in Malaysia and the population is scattered all over the country.

About 6000 Kristang people live in Selangor.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This image shows a position on how to play cheki.

# data[].attributes.body
Amongst Kristang (or Christão) communities in Malacca, the cards were known as chaqui or chiqui. It is a popular card game originating from Malacca played by the all people of olden days.

It is a card game played using decks of 60 cards (30 different patterns, each one repeated twice), each measuring approximately 60mm X 24mm in size. To play the game, 2 packs/decks are required, so that each single card will be repeated four times. Value cards are divided into three suits whose western names are usually Coins, Strings and Myriads. Each suit has nine value cards (no courts), running from 1 to 9. Three "special" cards are called White Flower, Red Flower and Old Thousand. All patterns are in black & white, except for three cards which feature a red stamp: the 9 of Strings, the Red Flower and the Old Thousand. Ceki decks usually have plain backs. (Balik satu, 2025)

# data[].attributes.body
Players from 2 to 6 can take part into this game. A dealer which is randomly chosen will shuffles the pack and asks the player on his right to cut it. Next, the dealer will give two cards to each of the players in the clockwise direction and repeating the operation four times for a total of eight cards.

Players are not allowed to look at the cards until the deal has been completed. The undealt cards are placed in a pile, face down, in the middle of the table. The first player (on the dealer's left) opens the game by taking his turn.

The aim of the game is to form three sets of three cards of the same value for example, three 5s, three 9s and three 1s. In forming sets, suits are given no consideration, so a 7 of Coins and two 7 of Myriads, would make a set of 7s. It is easy to form these sets by matching the cards frames, because all three should have the same frame pattern. Honour cards only form sets of the same kind (three White Flowers, three Red Flowers, three Old Thousands).

Each set is worth the sum of the cards it is made of, so a set of 7s would be worth 7+7+7 = 21 points. Honour cards are only worth 1 (each set scores 3 points), so the most cherished combinations are the ones made of three 9s (worth 27 points).
The simple principle on which sets are built is that each player at his turn, can choose whether to draw a covered card from the pile, or to pick the last discard made by a previous player. In the first case, he can decide to keep what he has found, discarding one of the cards he already holds in hand, or to discard straight away the one he has just drawn. Therefore, at the end of his turn, each player always remains with eight cards.
All discards must be piled in a heap, close to the uncovered cards, but only the uppermost one (i.e. the last discard left on the table) can be taken by other players.

With eight cards held in hand, only two full sets and a couple can be obtained. Any player who succeeds in making this arrangement, calls "cherki". In doing so, he places his couple face down in front of him.

The call is a declaration to warn other players that he is waiting for the last card to win. From this moment, his only goal will be to obtain the third card which matches his couple, and he is no longer allowed to make further changes to his two full sets. In taking his turns, he may find the last card by either drawing from the pile, or by picking another player's discard. (Nanthini Suppiah, 2015)

# data[].attributes.body
The first player to complete three sets is the winner. When a player who has called "cherki" obtains the last card he is looking for, he turns all his cards face up, showing the three sets. He is the winner of the hand, and the only player to score points.

At the end of each hand, players can settle their dues, where the winner will receive from his opponents an amount of money corresponding to the total points that he has scored. (Peranakan Life Malaysia, 2021)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This image taken from Masaganang Buhay on 2019 that was uploaded on Facebook.

# data[].attributes.body
To win Tagu-taguan (Hide-and-Seek), which is a popular among Bisaya's children, the goal is to be the last player to be found by "it" (the seeker). You achieve this by finding good hiding places, staying hidden for as long as possible and potentially using a "home base" to safely return to.

# data[].attributes.headline
Extra tips on how to be the winner of this game.

# data[].attributes.subject
Extra tips on how to be the winner of this game.

# data[].attributes.body
Firstly, you must good in finding a place to hide. You must be creative and think of unique places to hide that are out of sight and not easily accessible. Sometimes, you consider using natural cover like trees, bushes, or large rocks if playing outdoors. If you are playing indoors, explore corners, under tables, or behind furniture. Secondly, you must stay hidden in that place. Once you've found a good hiding place, remain silent and still. Try not to move around too much, as this can be noticed. Try to blend in with your surroundings, if possible, to make yourself harder to spot. Lastly, you must avoid from being tagged. If the seeker finds you, they will try to tag you (touch you with their hand or foot). If you are tagged, you become the seeker for the next round. The goal is to avoid being tagged by the seeker and remain hidden for as long as possible.

# data[].attributes.body
The Regatta Lepa is a water parade of colourfully decorated boats alive with singers and dancers inside, all representating a particular family or village. Another feature of the festival is a race of small dugout boats called kelleh-kelleh. Besides these, there are generally a tug of war, and a duck-catching contest.

The Regatta Lepa festival continues late into the night with the Lepa beauty pageant, fireworks, cultural and traditional shows and games, fireworks and the famous igal-igal dance of the Bajau people. The word igal is a sort of corruption of the word ‘eagle'. The dance is so called because of the eagle-like, smooth movements that dancers make. Within Semporna stadium, a 'Lepa Car' contest is also held.

The high spot of Regatta Lepa is a decorating contest between the rainbow-coloured Lepas. The beauty of these vessels is further enhanced with colourful umbrellas, flags, streamers, and bunting. The winning boat is given a cash prize of thousands of Ringgits, a certificate, a trophy, and may also get additional rewards.

The yardsticks for selecting the best boat are the quality of the boat's sails (sambulayang), triangular pennants (tipas-tipas), rectangular flags (panji-panji), and the boatmen's song and dance performance. Those, who are keen to enjoy the full-spectrum flavours of the festival, can follow the Lepas in a rented boat.

The Lepas were in use from the 14th century itself when the entire life of the Bajau Laut was lived within these boats. They earned their living with these boats and conducted all their ceremonies from birth to death within them. (Sipadan, 2025)

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
This video shows how to play tibau sames like Melanau and this video was uploaded on tiktok.

# data[].attributes.body
Tibau was built from two wooden rods that formed a pyramid and several wooden rods arranged in tiered floors. At the top of the pyramid there is a string of ropes from rattan that will be swinged like a chatter. Players will take turns jumping over the tibau until it doesn't swing anymore. (Hafeez, 2024)

# data[].attributes.body
After completing this assignment on the different communities in Malaysia, my eyes were opened to a part of Malaysian culture that I had never paid much attention to before. I was surprised at the unique blend of these cultures, especially in their traditional games. It made me realize how diverse and multi-layered the history of our country really is. What impressed me the most was how the Kristang people have worked to preserve their culture and language despite being a small community. It made me think about how important cultural heritage is and how easily it can be forgotten if it is not actively passed on or valued. This task has also encouraged me to be more curious and respectful of the cultures around me. It has also made me reflect on my own heritage and how important it is to know where I come from. Overall, this assignment has not only taught me facts, but has also changed the way I view and identify with cultures. It also reminded me that I can understand myself better when I learn about others.

# data[].attributes.body
Assalamualaikum and greetings, everyone! My name is Wan Nuraishah binti Wan Razali and you can call me Aishah. I am from LG243 (Degree in English for Intercultural).

I love playing games especially. Most of my childhood time, I used to play mancala, five stones and hide and seek with my neighbor. I have known as the queen of mancala because i am always win the game.

Speaking of games, here in this Padlet, I will share with you about them! Interesting right? We will delve into a variety of traditional games of the five chosen unique ethnics in Malaysia which is Bisaya, Kadazan-dusun, Bajau, Melanau and kristang. Let's get started.