This Ancient Game Actually Loved by Many Young People
Indonesia also has a traditional archery tradition that has existed since the time of the kingdom hundreds of years ago. In ancient times, this tradition is played by noblemen and their families. However, over time, this tradition began to be played by the common people as part of the entertainment and cultural preservation is also very valuable. Of some traditional archery tradition in Indonesia, there is one tradition that is quite well known. Derived from Yogyakarta and its surroundings, the traditional arrow Jemparingan traditions continue to survive even in some time had dimmed and rarely played again. Fortunately, within a few years back, this tradition re-emerged and the demand by the younger generation. Here's a story about Jemparingan very unique and full of that philosophy.
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The History of Jemparingan
As a bit quoted above. Jemparingan not an ordinary game. Initially, darts is only done by the soldiers of the kingdom. They did this game to train their sharpness in shooting arrows. Of the game that made soldiers, the kingdom of Mataram began doing it for the royal game. Over time, the game is increasingly in demand by many people. Not only the royal family alone. The nobles of the kingdom next door and also the foreigners want to do. Games that initially only be around Mataram, immediately spread to many regions and is played also by the common people.
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The Method of Jemparingan
Most of the game due to archery in the world to do the standing position. However, Jemparingan do with sitting cross-legged position. Someone holding a bow and arrow will sit sideways with a bow is drawn toward the head before finally fired to hit a target that called "bedor" has a length of 30cm and a diameter of 3.5 cm are painted red on top and white on the other surface. Someone who does this game have to strive mark hanging it appropriately. The more arrows hit the target, the more the value obtained. Especially if until the red head who was at the bag of "Bedor".
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The Jemparingan Tournament Extremely Fun
The game that was originally only done for the sport and if this sense made the tournament start. Typically, one game to get a winner do with 20 rounds. One round, an archer can release five arrows toward "Bedor" before being assessed by a team of organizers. If there are arrows on the red head of "Bedor", archers get a value of 3, while the white surface gets a value of 1. The distance between the shooters and also a target of around 30 meters. With this considerable distance, an archer should be able to make the arrows hit the target, especially the red head. With cross-legged sitting posture they should be able to estimate the wind speed and the strength of the arc. These games are not just relying on the power of attraction but also juice anytime associated arrows should be launched.
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Jemparingan Preservation and the Role of Youths
Today many traditions whether it be a game or a dance that began to disappear from Indonesia. Many young people do not want to preserve it so that the opportunity to become extinct very large. Fortunately Jemparingan who is a tradition of the ancient game Mataram era is still there and still be preserved by many citizens. The draw of the game Jemparingan is the number of young people who are interested. This ancient game actually loved by many young people. They want to know what the game is first performed by the nobles as well as how to play it. This game has a challenge that many people want to conquer.
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This is a typical archery game of Mataram or Jemparingan which continue to be preserved until now. Sometime when you goes to Indonesia, you should be stop in Yogyakarta or Solo to try this game! :)