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WHY CONGKAK?

I choose this traditional games “CONGKAK” as my topic because I had experienced play that game with my sister who can played it  better than me and it was so interesting game even for me its looks just an easy game to play. Actually, “CONGKAK” is a game for two players using a board which has several storehouses. The aim of the game is to gather as many shells into the storehouses on the player’s side. Normally, marbles, cowry shells or tamarind seeds are used.  I have gain a lot of experienced through played CONGKAK. My sisters is more likely to spend their free time to play this traditional game and they all do teach me a lot. My objectives doing this blog are to tell all the reader for those who doesn't really know about this fun of game. besides that, i also want to tell that this kind of games can make all the student learning MATH better.  many students hate MATH subject so if they were practicing playing congkak so they are more open in learning.... thank you :)

                  TRADITIONAL GAME (CONGKAK)


Congkak is a game played in the island of Borneo, Singapore, and Peninsular Malaysia.Congkak is believed to originate from the word ‘congak’ which in old Malay Language means count. It is believed that the game originated in Malacca Kingdom where it became very popular and spread to the South East Asia region. This spread was due to the many travelers who visited the kingdom because it was a trading city. In the early days it is thought that this game was for the king and family and the palace residents, however later it spread to the general population of the kingdom. As the congkak board is shaped like a boat it is believed that it is based on the legend of a fisherman unable to go to the sea during rainy season who lost his income during this time. To prevent boredom he created this game which is similar to his boat.

 HOW TO PLAY CONGKAK


The board has two rows of seven cups ('houses') on each side and a larger compartment ('storehouse') at each end. Players sit facing each other.Before the game starts, the 'houses' (1-14) are filled with seven shells each, while the 'storehouses' (A & B) are left empty. Both players begin simultaneously by scooping up all the shells in any house on their side. Each drops a shell into the next 'house' and continues clockwise depositing one shell into every house thereafter.A player drops a shell into his 'storehouse' each time he passes it but does not deposit any into his opponent's 'storehouse'.How the game continues, depends on where the last shell of each scoop is deposited.
IF THE SHELL DROPS INTO THE PLAYER'S OWN 'STOREHOUSE':The player scoops up the shells from any of his 'houses' and distributes them in the cups ('houses') round the board but not in his opponents's 'storehouse'.
 IF THE SHELL DROPS INTO A 'HOUSE' (on either side of the board) CONTAINING SHELLS:The player scoops up all the shells in that 'house' and continues distributing them as described above.
 IF THE SHELL DROPS INTO THE PLAYER'S 'HOUSE' WHICH IS WITHOUT SHELLS:The player is entitled to collect the shells in his opponent's 'house' directly opposite his own. These shells collected from his opponent's house together with his last shell are deposited in his own 'storehouse'. If the opponent's 'house' opposite his own is empty, he deposits only his last shell in his own 'storehouse'. He forfeits his turn and stops playing. It is the opponent's turn now to distribute the shells. IF THE SHELL DROPS INTO AN EMPTY 'HOUSE' BELONGING TO THE OPPONENT:The player forfeits his turn and stops playing. He also forfeits his shell and leaves it in the opponent's 'house'. It is the opponent's turn now to distribute the shells.The first round ends when a player has no more shells on his side.Play resumes in the second round with players redistributing shells from their own 'storehouse' to their own 'houses'.
 Beginning from left to right, seven shells are placed in each 'house'. If a player does not have sufficient shells to fill his own 'houses', the remaining cups are left empty and are considered 'burnt'. The leftover shells are deposited into his own 'storehouse.' The opponent deposits excess shells he has won into his own 'storehouse'.The loser gets to start the second round. Play is continued as before but players will bypass 'burnt houses' ie. no shells are to be dropped into these houses. If a shell is accidentally dropped into a 'burnt house', it is confiscated and stored in the opponent's 'storehouse'.Play continues until one player loses all his 'houses' or concedes defeat.






                                           I enjoy playing CONGKAK with my sister  :)