Hpan Khone

Hpan Khone (English: "High Jump Game") is a traditional children's game in Myanmar. The game is played mostly by females, though young boys will sometimes join in.[1] Hpan Khone requires two teams comprising four to five players. There is an offensive team and a defending team. The offensive team must hop on one leg over five different human obstacles created by the “defending” team. With each round, the defending team adds an obstacle to make the jumps higher.

Children of Set Set Yo Village in Myanmar demonstrating the fifth and final round of Hpan Khone, or "High Jump Game." This traditional game is played by children in Myanmar. A similar game called Luksong tinik is played by Filipino children.

Rules

Round One

In the first level, two members of the defending team sit on the ground facing each other, legs slightly spread, with the soles of their feet touching. The other team then hops one-legged, one-at-a-time, over the tangle of legs. For each team member who successfully jumps over the two feet, one point is given to the team. If the player touches the obstacle, they are not allowed to continue to the next level.

Round Two

Once each player has had a turn, the hurdle becomes a bit more difficult. The two players on the ground close their legs together, thus creating a wider obstacle. The rules remain the same: touch the obstacle and you are out. Jump successfully and you make it to the next level and give a point to your team.

Round Three

In the third round, the obstacle is doubled in height when the seated players place one leg above the other in such a way as that the toes of the bottom foot support the heel of the other. The wo players remain like this with their soles still touching. The jumpers who survive move on to round four and each earn a point for their team.

Round Four

Next, the obstacle is raised slightly when one of the players on the ground rests one of her palms on the toes of her highest foot. Her teammate sitting opposite her meets fingers with an outstretched arm. Successful attackers score a point for their team. Those who fail are out.

Round Five

In the last round, the players place another palm on top of the ones they already have outstretched. As with the other rounds, successful players score a point for their teams. When there are no attackers left, the teams switch places.

Variant

The Philippines

A similar game, Luksong tinik (English: "Jump Over The Thorns of a Plant") is a popular game in the Philippines. This version originated in Cabanatuan city, Philippines[2] This version is played by two teams with equal numbers of players.

Luksong Tinik in Manila, 1910. Photographic Image from the Smithsonian Libraries [National Anthropological Archives]

Each team designates a leader, the nanay (mother), while the rest of the players are called anak (children). The players chosen to be nanay are usually the ones who can jump the highest. The game involves players sitting on the ground and other players jumping over parts of their body.[3] The nanay and anak jump over the other team's feet, which represent the tinik, or thorn. The two players on the ground who comprise the tinik add a foot (soles touching) or hand to the height of the tinik after all players have jumped the 1st round. The players set a starting point, wherein enough runway is given to ensure a high-enough jump in order not to hit the hands or feet of the players who make up the tinik. If a player accidentally hits the hands or feet of the tinik, they will be removed from that round or must replace the players on the ground as the new tinik.[4]

References

1. "The encyclopedia of Myanmar Games". Retrieved 2018-11-12.
2. "Luksong Tinik, Prezi.com". Retrieved 2018-11-12.
3. "Luksong Tinik". Retrieved 2018-11-12.
4. "Luksong Tinik Rules". Retrieved 2018-11-12.