Our ancestors have left behind many folk games for future generations to play during various festivals to create fun and increase mutual relationships. There are many Khmer folk games such as the King Game (Sdach Jang), Teanh Proat, Leak Kon Saeng, Choul Chhoung, Jarb Kon Klaeng Game, etc. Among all these games, the Dan Derm Sloek Chhoer or Leaves Racing Game “ល្បែងដណ្ដើមស្លឹកឈើ” is also a Khmer folk game that our people play during the New Year.
This game has many benefits in terms of exercise your body to be strong, makes the eyes and ears sharp, and more concentrated. They often play this game in a flat field. To play this game, they need a medium-sized tree brand or a bunch of leaves.
How to play
This game need at least 11 people which are divided into two groups, with 5 people on each side. The remaining player is a leader, who must call out the numbers of the two teams. This game requires a distance of about 15 meters from one team to the other, with each team standing in a line facing each other. It is worth noting that the members of each team have their own identification numbers, from 1 to the end.
When starting the game, the leader must approach the leaves and call out any number to grab the leaf and take it to their respective places without being hit or caught. For example, the leader calls out number 5, the members of each team who know that they have identification number 5 must approach to grab the leaves and run to their place. In case, both are equally fast and cannot find a way to grab it, the leader must call out another number to help.
Meanwhile, the team members at the place must also help find a way to shout to their team to grab the leaf. If they still cannot grab the leaf, the leader must call out another number to help. If a member of one team can grab the leaf and run to the place without the other team touching him or her, it is assumed that the one who grabs the leaf and reaches the place is the winner.
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