Cultural and Historical Analysis of Traditional Games in Mt. Isarog, Bicol Region, Philippines

Abstract

Traditional games help the young generation engage in social interaction and develop teamwork. Games also impart aspects of community history, traditions and social values, thus deepening one’s sense of rootedness and sense of pride. By playing traditional games, children can engage with and actively co-create their heritage, which has a deep and lifelong positive impact (Pukhtoonkhwa & Fata, 2013). This study gathered and analyzed traditional games in barangays of Goa, Camarines Sur adjacent to the foot of Mt. Isarog. Specifically, it aimed to identify traditional games commonly played by the inhabitants of the locality, describe their purpose and mechanics, and analyze the traditions embedded in them through a historico-cultural lense. These games were documented in selected peripheral barangays near Mt. Isarog, namely Abucayan, Pinaglabanan, Hiwacloy and Digdigon through a mini-ethnographic survey design; this allows the researchers to conduct fieldwork within a shorter time span and with intervals. In particular, the communities were visited at least once a week for the conduct of data collection. There were 20 informants who were selected through snowball sampling. Data were collected through interview, kwentuhan (informal conversations) and focus group discussions (FGD), and transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. It was revealed that the participants were engaged in four traditional games that reflect the joyful disposition of Bikolanos. These are patintero or tubigan, tumbang preso, waralatan panyo, and sungka. All these traditional games are played by a minimum of two players, which reflect the communal orientation of the games. Further, these can be played not only by younger age groups but also by adolescents, which highlight social skills and values like physical fitness, community bonding, cooperation and care for the environment. These documented games embody collective identity and local heritage, and through their performance they are preserved for posterity.