TEDxJakarta - Zaini Alif - The Secret Meaning of "Hom Pim Pa"

Summary

Zaini Alif, a passionate researcher of traditional games, shares his journey from the rural 'Kampung Bolang' to becoming an expert in the field. He explains the educational and cultural significance of games like Sondah Mandah, Congklak, and Gatrik, which teach children important life skills and values. Alif emphasizes the importance of play in learning and calls for the recognition of Indonesia's rich heritage in games, advocating for a global learning center for traditional games.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The speaker, Zaini Alif, emphasizes the importance of play and games in children's lives, using a playful and engaging tone to connect with the audience.
• 🌟 Zaini's passion for games stems from his childhood in Kampung Bolang, where he used everyday objects and nature for play, highlighting the creativity and resourcefulness of children.
• 🏘️ He discusses the significance of traditional games, having researched and identified numerous types across different regions, emphasizing their cultural and educational value.
• 🔍 Zaini explores the deeper meanings behind games, such as 'Sondah Mandah', which teaches children about the importance of daily hard work and perseverance.
• 🌐 He finds parallels between traditional games from different cultures, suggesting a universal human need for play and the shared values it can impart.
• 🧠 The games are not just for fun; they also serve as tools for learning important life skills, such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and even mathematical concepts.
• 🏡 Zaini's personal journey from a small village to studying games in Bandung and obtaining a graduate degree reflects his dedication to understanding and preserving traditional play.
• 🌱 He believes in the power of games to teach children about nature, self-awareness, and spirituality, as well as to prepare them for life's challenges.
• 🤔 There's a critique of the modern education system, suggesting it has strayed from incorporating the natural learning processes and values found in traditional games.
• 🌏 Zaini envisions Indonesia as a hub for game education, attracting people worldwide to learn about the rich variety of games and their significance.
• 🎭 The script concludes with a call to take play seriously, as it is a fundamental part of human nature and a crucial method of learning and personal development.

Q & A

What are the magic words children say before starting a game according to the speaker?

The magic words are 'Hom pim pah alaihom gambreng', which the speaker and the audience say together to officially start playing.

What is the speaker's name and what is unique about his stature?

The speaker's name is Zaini Alif, and he mentions that he has always been small because he always hangs around with kids.

What is the significance of the place called 'Kampung Bolang' to the speaker?

Kampung Bolang is the place where the speaker was born, and it is significant because it is where he first experienced traditional games and play.

How far did the speaker have to walk to school when he was young?

The speaker had to walk about 12 km to go to school every day, leaving at dawn and walking through the ridge.

What traditional game did the speaker discover has a similar version in Brazil?

The speaker discovered that the game 'Sondah Mandah' has a similar version in Brazil called 'Amarilinha', both involving jumping and symbolizing a journey from earth to heaven.

What does the speaker believe traditional games teach children about life?

The speaker believes that traditional games teach children important life lessons such as hard work, emotional intelligence, empathy, and understanding the world around them.

What is the purpose of the game 'Congklak' according to the speaker?

The game 'Congklak' is used to teach children about business, empathy, and managing life's finances, as well as the concept of sharing and not hoarding resources.

What does the speaker suggest about the importance of play in education?

The speaker suggests that play is very serious and an essential tool for learning basic concepts of human life in the world, and that traditional games should be incorporated into the education system.

What is the concept behind the magic words 'Hom pim pah alaihom gambreng'?

The concept behind the magic words is a reminder of one's origin and destiny, signifying that we came from God and will return to God, and that we must submit ourselves in life.

What is the speaker's vision for Indonesia in terms of games?

The speaker's vision is for Indonesia to be recognized as a global center for learning about games, with the world coming to Indonesia to study the rich variety of traditional games.

How does the speaker describe the importance of traditional games in learning about the elements?

The speaker describes traditional games as a way for children to learn about the elements such as water, fire, wind, and earth, through games that engage with these natural elements directly.

Outlines

00:00

😄 Introduction to the World of Traditional Games

The speaker, Zaini Alif, introduces the audience to the magic of traditional games by sharing a playful ritual that children use to start a game. He explains his lifelong passion for games, which originated in his childhood in Kampung Bolang, where he played with anything available in his environment. Zaini's dedication to studying games has led him to research and document numerous traditional games across various regions, culminating in his unique academic achievement as a game researcher. He highlights the cultural significance and educational value embedded in these games, such as 'Sondah Mandah,' which teaches children about the importance of daily hard work through a playful representation of the days of the week.

05:05

🏠 Life Lessons from Traditional Games

Zaini delves into the deeper meanings and life lessons that can be learned from traditional games. He uses the example of a game where children 'jump' to different 'houses' to symbolize the struggles and aspirations of life, including the pursuit of a home and the concept of heaven as a place where everyone has a home. He also discusses games that teach emotional intelligence, empathy, and the interconnectedness of actions and consequences. The speaker further explores how games like 'Surser' and 'Congklak' develop cognitive skills and financial management, respectively, while 'Gatrik' provides a fun way to learn mathematics. The summary underscores the educational power of play and the wisdom imparted by traditional games.

10:08

🌐 The Global Impact of Traditional Games

Zaini broadens the discussion to the global impact and universality of traditional games. He draws parallels between games from different cultures, such as 'Congklak' and its counterparts in Africa and India, highlighting the common themes and the shared human experience they represent. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the natural elements like wind, water, and fire through games, which serve as a conduit for learning about the world and one's place in it. Zaini also introduces 'HONG,' a community he founded, which is centered around the magic words from the game's opening ritual, symbolizing a return to the divine and the importance of submission in life's journey.

15:10

🎓 The Educational Philosophy of Play

In the final paragraph, Zaini addresses the current state of education and laments the lack of integration of traditional games and their inherent wisdom into modern learning. He criticizes the departure from the teachings of Mr. Ki Hajar Diwantoro, who advocated for nature and rhythm in the learning process. Zaini passionately argues for the recognition of traditional games as a serious educational tool, emphasizing their role in teaching life's basic concepts and preparing children for the future. He concludes by asserting the universality of play, 'Homo Ludens,' and calls for Indonesia to be recognized as a global leader in the study of games, inviting the world to learn from its rich tradition of play.

Keywords

💡Magic Words

Magic words in the script refer to the ritualistic phrases children utter before starting a game, symbolizing the initiation into the playful state of mind. They are integral to setting the tone for the game and are a cultural practice that the speaker, Zaini Alif, highlights as a universal phenomenon among children. The phrase 'Hom pim pah alaihom gambreng' is used as an example in the script, marking the beginning of the playful interaction.

💡Traditional Games

Traditional games are a central theme in the video, representing the speaker's research focus and passion. These games are defined as those passed down through generations within a culture or community, often with educational or social purposes. Zaini Alif's work involves identifying and studying these games across various regions, emphasizing their significance in learning and cultural preservation, as seen when he mentions his research in the Sunda region and Java.

💡Playground

The term 'playground' in the script is used metaphorically to describe the natural environment where Zaini Alif played as a child, which included elements like wind propellers and the landscape of Kampung Bolang. It is more than a physical space; it represents the creative and imaginative opportunities that children have when they engage with their surroundings, which is a key message in the video about the importance of play.

💡Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence, as discussed in the script, is the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions and those of others. It is highlighted as a skill that can be developed through play, specifically in the context of the game 'Paciwit Ciwit Lutung'. The game teaches children about empathy and the consequences of their actions on others, which is a critical lesson in emotional intelligence.

💡Corpus Callosum

The Corpus Callosum is a part of the brain that connects the left and right hemispheres, facilitating communication between them. In the script, it is mentioned in relation to the game 'Surser', which is said to train this part of the brain, thereby improving cognitive function and the ability to switch between brain hemispheres, contributing to overall intelligence.

💡Congklak

Congklak is a traditional game mentioned in the script, which has counterparts in various cultures around the world, such as Pallam Kuzhi in India. The game involves strategic elements and is used in the script to illustrate the global prevalence of similar traditional games and their potential for teaching concepts like mathematics and economic principles.

💡Gatrik

Gatrik, also known by various names in different regions, is a game that teaches mathematical concepts through play. In the script, it is used to exemplify how traditional games can serve as educational tools, making learning about numbers and basic arithmetic more engaging and intuitive for children.

💡Homo Ludens

Homo Ludens is a term coined by Dutch cultural historian Johan Huizinga, which means 'man the player'. It is used in the script to emphasize the idea that humans are inherently playful beings. The speaker uses this concept to argue for the importance of play in learning and life, suggesting that all of human interaction can be seen through the lens of play.

💡Sondah Mandah

Sondah Mandah is a game mentioned in the script that has a symbolic meaning related to the days of the week. The game is used to illustrate how traditional games can incorporate cultural and educational elements, teaching children about the structure of the week and the concept of a journey from 'earth to heaven'.

💡Kampung Bolang

Kampung Bolang is the birthplace of the speaker, Zaini Alif, and serves as a symbol of his childhood and the inspiration for his research on traditional games. It represents a traditional community where play and games are an integral part of daily life and cultural identity, contrasting with the modern world and its different priorities.

💡Pakarangan Ulin

Pakarangan Ulin is a garden created by the speaker for children to play in, representing his commitment to providing spaces for children to engage in traditional play. It is an embodiment of the video's message about the importance of play and games in learning and personal development.

Highlights

Children perform a ritualistic chant before starting a game, emphasizing the cultural importance of play.

The speaker, Zaini Alif, introduces himself and his lifelong connection with children and games.

Zaini's research on games spans various regions, revealing his passion for understanding their significance.

The concept of 'Kampung Bolang' is introduced as a place of childhood and the origin of Zaini's love for games.

Zaini describes the resourcefulness of play in his village, using everyday objects like 'Kolecer'.

The daily commute to school, a 12 km walk, was a time for imaginative play in Zaini's childhood.

Zaini's physical stature allows him to connect with children on their level, facilitating his research.

His academic journey in Bandung led to a graduate degree with a focus on traditional games.

Zaini has identified hundreds of traditional games across different regions and countries.

The game 'Sondah Mandah' is revealed to have a deeper meaning, symbolizing the days of the week.

Amarilinha, a game from Brazil, shares similarities with 'Sondah Mandah', highlighting global connections.

Traditional games teach children valuable life lessons, such as the importance of daily hard work.

Zaini discusses the emotional intelligence developed through games like 'Paciwit Ciwit Lutung'.

The game 'Surser' is highlighted for its role in developing the brain's Corpus Callosum.

Congklak, a game known worldwide by different names, teaches children about business and finance.

Gatrik, a game played globally, is shown to be an educational tool for learning mathematics.

Zaini explains the cultural and educational significance of games like 'Gobak Sodor'.

The concept of 'Homo Ludens' is introduced, emphasizing that humans are inherently playful creatures.

Zaini's vision is for Indonesia to be recognized as a global hub for game education and research.

The importance of play in education is underscored, with a call to preserve traditional games.

Zaini criticizes the modern education system for straying from the teachings of Mr. Ki Hajar Diwantoro.

The 'Pakarangan Ulin' is introduced as a space created for children to play and learn about the world.

Transcripts

Before a game usually starts, there are magic words that is always done by children.

those are the Magic words we need to do now to start this game.

[Audience laughs]

Ok, lets do it together.

One, two, three

[AUDIENCE] "Hom pim pah alaihom gambreng"

Okay .. You are now officially playing with me right now.

My name is Zaini Alif.

I've always been this small, because I always hang around with kids.

[Audience laughs]

So after i finish my research in games, Ill be at least this tall.

Thats when i will finish researching games.

I have researched games in almost every region in the country. And sometimes I ask myself "Why am i doing this?"

Why do i like games?

Actually when I think about it, it goes way back.

Here is a place, a place where I was born.

It is a place called "Kampung Bolang".

There's an TV show called Bolang too, but this has been here for hundreds of years. Kampung Bolang.

This Bolang village, is also very far away from. Ee .. Where the school is, its very far from here.

This is where I play.

Here, anything can be used to play.

If you can see those things on the top, that is a Kolecer.

Or wind propellers, big traditional toys to welcome the wind.

Well .. This is what I like to play when I was little.

This is my playground.

This is what I pass when I go to school. i have to walk about 12 km to go to school every day.

I had to leave at dawn, walking through this ridge.

On the way to school, there's nothing i could do.

To read, gives me a headache. there is really nothing to do.

So, I play.

playing with the mist, playing with the leaves,

playing with rice, grass and so on.

That's what i did back then.

So i also often play.

if you look closely, somewhere in this picture is me.

I am there, somewhere.

So thats whats fortunate about me. Luckily compared to you, I am much shorter.

So when you communicate with children, you must do this. [BOWING]

But for me, i don't have to do that. [LESS BOWING]

They feel they are in the same level as me. So my intentions are translated easier.

That is whats good about being small.

So then, i went to Bandung. To the big city, i think Bandung is a big city.

So, can i play here?

So I decided, once i entered college i will study about traditional games.

Regardless of what anyone says about it, i studied traditional games. And eventually i obtained my graduate degree in games.

[Audience laughs]

The only graduate from ITB, majoring in games.

So, i've identified about 250 kinds of traditional games, in the Sunda region (West Java) alone.

By going around traditional villages.

Then i identified 212 traditional games in Java.

And then 50 traditional games in Lampung.

300 from various provinces, and now from 10 countries around the world I've discovered

300 traditional games.

There are plenty of them.

And if we can sort all the games in various provinces in Indonesia it can be up to thousands.

So it seems that we're a country that likes to play around.

[Audience laughs]

Because we always play, there are so many games.

These are some of the games i've identified, and i've uncovered their secrets.

For example, this is a game called Sondah Mandah, or Engklek, or Picek Baju, or Ingkling and so on. Those are different names for different provinces.

I tried to find out the meaning of Sondah Mandah everywhere.

When i found what it meant,

I was reading the Dutch dictionary, there it was, Sondah Mandah, "Sunday, Monday".

Why Sunday Monday? I tried to find out more about it. Why Sunday Monday?

What i found was that apparently there are 7 boxes,

And those 7 boxes symbolizes.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

And then, i found an exact game in Brazil.

There it's called Amarilinha, exactly the same, "from earth to heaven"

So the first boxes were "earth"

The last final sphere was "heaven".

So from earth to heaven.

so, when children start jumping, they start on Monday.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and so on, and back again.

But this time, they cover their eyes, and so forth.

So what does it teach children? It teaches them that hardworking is important every day.

Every day, work hard, lift the leg on Monday, then Tuesday, then on wednesday they hold something, covering their eyes. hard work.

[Audience laughs and claps]

What is the result? The result they got a star, "tek".

My house is here. There should be no one living here besides me, this is my home.

Finally their friends have to jump like this.

"Oh their house is way over there", they have to jump farther.

They can get up to three homes, some even four.

Sometimes, there is one person that never gets a house, So they just jump around throughout the game.

Thats exactly like how we are now, if we don't have property, we jump around, rent here, rent there.

[Audience laughs]

But the most important thing is the point of victory. They must reach the last circle.

In that last sphere everyone has a home. they always have a house in heaven.

These things does not need to be taught explicitly to children, they understand these things on their own.

There are plenty more learnings, for example

"Paciwit Ciwit Lutung".

Still remember "Injit Injit Semut?"

Well it turns out, this is where we learn emotional intelligence. Learning about emotions

When our hand is at the bottom, we would look forward to be on top.

"Soon i'll be on top, Soon i'll be on top"

Once we're at the top, we pinch hard!

As it goes down different hands the pinch becomes harder and harder.

Until the very last hand at the bottom; which is ours!

Here, children learn that when we hurt others, we actually hurt ourselves.

They continued to play, Paciwit Ciwit Lutung and there is no ending.

They are learning about empathy.

For example a game called "Surser" it turns out, after i studied it,

The purpose is to developed the connection of our left and right brain.

When there is a jump from the left brain, you slide this one, and tap the other. and then another jump; you switch the hands.

Try doing it. This will train part of the brain called the Corpus Callosum.

So we become better in switching our right and left brains. and our children become more intelligent.

There is another game

Congklak. All of you must know Congklak?

And i searched all over the world for a game like Congklak.

It turns out there was Congklak from Africa to America.

Only the names are different.

There is Pallam Kuzhi. In India

In Africa, the Congklak has 30 holes.

[Audience laughs]

But how do you play that?

30 represents the number of days in each month.

So, if we have 7 holes, that means it represents the number of days in each week.

So I take from Monday,

put one on Monday, one on Tuesday, one on Wednesday, one on Friday.

Can we put two?

No we can't

Because we should eat and live sufficiently on that day.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Where does the rest go? We save it in the "barn".

Not all of it; even when we save, we can only save one.

If not, It will be rotten.

Thats why if you walk pass a bank, It smells rotten.

[Audience laughs]

Then where does the rest go? Where does the rest go?

Share it with your friends.

But don't even try to put some in others "barn".

It means, rather than giving money to a person.

Give job opportunities in every occasion instead.

This is where kids learn about how to do business.

How they practice empathy with each other.

How they manage their life's finances.

[Audience applauds]

There is another game, Gatrik. Still remember Gatrik? Bentrik

Aaaaahh .. Bentrik

Known as "Patok Lele" in Sumatra. In Kalimantan known as "Tak Kadal".

"Patok Babi" in Sulawesi, and others.

Even in France, they have Gatrik.

Gatrik is how kids learn math.

Learning mathematics through games."Tekk".

Two steps, four steps, reduce the two-step, equal to four and so on.

It can be done easily by children.

Not by counting, 4 + 4. Ahhh .. No.

Instead, they just play. By playing, they will learn what they need to know in their future life.

There is another game, known as Gobak Sodor

Gobak Sodor, Gala Asin and so on.

I asked someone in a traditional village, "Kampung Naga"

I asked, "What is Gobak Sodor?"

Apparently Gobak Sodor is "Go back, so dor"

"Go back so DOR (BANG)!"

[audience laugh]

So they have to run, return, pass through their friends,

Go back so .. if they catch you then DOR! (gun) Thats it.

So Gobak Sodor is about defense patterns.

How people go down the mountain, run back, and shout"Asin!" (salty).

They run down the mountain, to the sea, comes back, and shouts, "Asin!" because they have to bring back salt and other things.

Thats why when you succesfully return, you shout "Asin" and so on.

So, all of this was the concepts developed by our ancestors.

How when we play.

we are actually learning about the world.

How when we live in this world that is round.

This is the control, the top as the "control", the middle as the "sensitivity" line, at the bottom, that's the "power".

The sublime world, The middle world, the final world; our intention, our word, and our behavior; soul, body, identity; ancestral, nation, "sara"; control, sensitivity, power.

[Audience applauds]

So, when we elaborate, this is the concept of our ancestors that were served to the children, for them to learn how to live in this round planet.

If you don't want to fall, hold on to the One on the top "The Divine".

If they let go, they will fall.

They will learn that, and their "Microcosm" will accept it.

Finally, I started HONG.

yes, my community .. HONG

Hong, what is "Hong"?

Hong is from the magic words that was said before.

"Hom pim pah alaihom"

What does it mean?

My research was about "Hom" as in "hom pim pah"

if people were researching about planes, and other things,

I was just researching about "hom pim pah".

[Audience laughs and clapping]

"Hom pim pah alaihom" is ..

Hom refers to God. Hom, Om, Hum, Hu, huwa .. The Lord.

"Hom pim pah alaihom", from God to God.

"Gambreng" is a stong reminder, "hey .. all of you!"

"You came from God, and will return to God." that's it. All is done!

"You must submit", thats why when kids do the "Hom Pim Pah", they always look submissive.

"Hom pim pah alaihom gambreng"

[Audience laughs and claps]

We also have to be so.

We should too, when we enter life, we need to submit ourselves.

"Hom pim pah alaihom gambreng", that's it.

We don't know whether we will win or lose, we even smile when we lose.

Children are brought up that way, to keep smiling when they lose.

So, i try to teach this to kids, i teach them to play. Play and play.

Then the children teach their friends to play,

to play from the leaves, to play from stems of cassava, to play with rocks, and so on.

Everybody plays. Their mothers, fathers; I ask them to play along.

Even government officials are also playing.

[Audience laughs]

If theres a celebrity that visits my place, the must play, everyone should play. They need to feel the game.

"Sasalimpetan", now i need 5 volunteers to play Sasalimpetan. 5 volunteer for Sasalimpetan.

Ok. Sasalimpetan is very unique.

This is the song, we have to sing together.

The song goes like this, you just have to read. All together!

"Sasalimpetan jajahan aing nu panjang, hey.. hey.."

"Aki janggotan tumpak kuda heheotan, hey.. hey..", ok all together.

One, two, three..

"Sasalimpetan jajahan aing nu panjang, hey.. hey.."

"Aki janggotan tumpak kuda heheotan, hey.. hey.."

"Sasalimpetan jajahan aing nu panjang, hey.. hey.."

"Aki janggotan tumpak kuda heheotan, hey.. hey.."

"Sasalimpetan jajahan aing nu panjang, hey.. hey.."

"Aki janggotan tumpak kuda heheotan, hey.. hey.."

Heeeeyyy .. Ok finished.

[Audience applauds]

Thank you .. Thank you ..

When we play Sasalimpetan, actually we learned about leadership

When someone becomes a leader, and every one becomes captives, everyone starts becoming a leader.

and lead to free their friends.

There was once a kid who wasn't very confident. he played a lot of Sasalimpetan in the community.

On day, he invited the mother and father and sang in front of the stage.

His mother and father cried and said to me, "thank you my child is cured."

"Who said he is sick? Your son is not sick!"

Its just that sometimes, we don't give them a chance to be brave.

Welcome to the "Pakarangan Ulin"

Finally i created a garden where children can play...

If all of you came there, i will invite you to play. Nothing else.

Invited to play.

There are 3 purpose of playing:

To know yourself, know nature and to know God.

This puppet toy is .. from the stem of cassava. How does the concept of self is taught

They begin to get to know water. There are water games.

From "Babalonan Sarung" and so on, to get to know the water.

Getting to know fire with the game Damar Sewu.

Like this one, a wind game, Kolecer and so on. Propellers.

Children can easily get to know the wind. lick their index finger, put it up and "oh, its right there".

Finally, once they know the wind is from one direction, they fly the kite from another.

Now, what do they do? They just try to fly it from everywhere!

[Audience laughs]

Ofcourse it wouldn't fly, because they do not know the wind.

We must know the wind.

And then there are rock games. Pepancakan and so on.

Finally, i do outreaches to various places, that games are important.

Games/toys, are tools to learn basic concepts of human life in the world.

Play is very serious.

So don't play around!

[Audience laughs and claps]

I am very serious. I am very serious when it comes to playing.

Children, my friends, are very serious when they play.

When playing hide and seek, and when they find the "cat", "Hey, I found you!"

That's it, they get caught. i play it seriously, they play it seriously.

But those who now say that they're serious. are the ones that actually violate all the rules.

[Audience applauds]

So what or who is more serious? it seems like games are more serious than we are.

Moreover, our education system which now refers to the education system of..

..who knows what it refers to. I have no idea.

Mr. Ki Hajar Diwantoro is the father of education in Indonesia.

But i am very sad, because none of Mr. Ki Hajar Diwantoro teachings, are being applied now, none.

None whatsoever.

how to incorporate nature in the learning process, none.

how the leveling of Wirasa (feeling), Wirahma (rythm), Wiraga (movement) does not exist,

how the concept Taman Siswa, Taman Marja, Taman Brewasa (Gardens of Education), none

Its all changed. But still Mr. Ki Hajar Diwantoro is regarded as an education figure, weird right?

[Audience laughs]

This makes me sad. Thats why i always say to all mothers, to all children. That this is our learning process.

This is where we learn.

In these traditional games is where we learn.

All the games are here, all the concepts of life are here.

To prepare for their future.

Huizinga said that we are "Homo Ludens" species of Play

Even here, we are playing. i came in here, you are there, and then we just play.

We set the rules, come in at a certain time, come out at a certain time,

everybody just agrees, they come in, come out, come in and out.

We are just playing. It's just a game. So lets just play.

The whole world has games. I've studied it and all the games are similiar.

They are almost the same. Even Congklak.

In many countries, there Pallam Kuzhi, Owari, Mancala, and so on.

Who would have thought that Congklak is everywhere.

This Engklek is everywhere.

Our strength is here.

Indonesia has the most games.

So that's why, earlier I told you that my goal is, that every person who that wants to learn about games, comes here (Indonesia)

You can go study about computers to Japan or America or wherever.

Learn how to make cars, wherever

But the whole world should learn about games from us!

[Audience applauds]