Do you like sport? When was the last time you sported? I believe every person has their own answer to these questions. On this occasion I want to list 12 traditional sports from Indonesia. Thanks to Indonesia is very wide and having difference culture and regions, this diversity is influencing the kinds of traditional sport as well. In fact, some types of traditional sports have even been officially used as national and international sports. Here 12 traditional sports from Indonesia.

  1. Pencak Silat
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If Korea has Taekwondo and Jepang having Karate, Indonesia has pencak silat. It is a full-body fighting form incorporating strikes, grappling and throwing in addition to weaponry. Every part of body is used and subject to attack. The leading organisation of pencak silat is Ikatan Pencak Silat Indonesia (Pencak Silat Association of Indonesia). 

2. Sepak Takraw

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Sepak takraw is a traditionl sport that is combined between soccer and volley ball. It has been around since the days of the Malaka sultanate since 1400s and originated from South Sulawesi.

3. Karapan Sapi

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Originated from Madura, East Java, this sport usually will be competed at August until October. On this competition, a pair of cows pulls a train (from wooden) in a race. 

4. Egrang

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Egrang is a traditional sport that using a stick from bamboo to walk up the ground. In Indonesia this sport is usually contested to clebrate independence day.

5. Gobag Sodor

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Gobag Sodor or Galah Asin is one of traditional sport that almost extinct in society. At the old time this sport is a favourite of chidren. This sport is played in the field, needing team work and solidity to win this sport.

6. Balap Karung

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Very famous at independence day, each participant who is interested to do this sport has to put a half body into the sack, then race to finish.

7. Lompat Batu

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Actually, this sport is a tradition of Nias Island society. In there this tradition, not only just a sport but also a tradition to marry a woman. Every young man who is succeed do this tradition would be deemed mature and ready to marry. 

8. Tarik Tambang

This sport is very popular in Indonesian citizen. Every independence day this sport is held in almost every region of Indonesia.

9. Panthol

Though Panthol is fighting sport that resemble with pencak silat, technic that used is different. Originated from Rembang, East Java, this sport is held every last month or full moon near the beach.

10. Pacu Jalur

Pacu jalur is a traditional sport from Riau. This sport uses a rowing boat that has length 25-40 cm with crewman around 40 till 60. It is usually held every Muharam New Year, Idul Fitri or Maulid Nabi Muhammad.

11. Tarung Derajat

Firstly developed by Ahmad Drajat in Bandung. This sport is officially national sport from Indonesia.

12. Bakiak

Actually, this is a traditional game, but it becomes traditional sport as well. Playing this sport, you need skill,leadership, kreativity and cooperation. In every bakiak, minimal is played by 3 people.