Congkak
Congkak is an indoor game once popular only among the women. But with the increase in its popularity, young boys are beginning to pick up the skill involved in playing the game.
The game comprises a congkak board which is a block of wood carved with two large holes called the homes at both ends. It comprises of a boat-shaped implement some of which are elaborately carved to resemble mythical birds. Each congkak has two parallel rows of 8 or 10 holes, each recess containing 8 or 10 seeds or marbles. The end of the carved board has a receptacle referred to as 'rumah' or house. The aim is to get rid of all the seeds on your side by moving them across over your 'enemy' while placing each seed or marble into your own house as you pass. The last seed to be deposited continues by scooping up the remaining seeds in the hole until it lands in an empty one whereby the other player starts his turn. The game ends with the winner either the one with the most seeds in his house or the first to empty his row of holes.
Two players are needed in this game in which they fill up the holes with either pebbles, marbles or rubber seeds. All winnings are placed in the homes and the player who collects the most seeds becomes the winner.
The game involves skill and mental alertness and in cases where the players are both skillful, the game would take several hours to finish.
Congkak