Pong Raot Koun Kromom or Bride Kidnaping Game “ល្បែងពង្រាត់កូនក្រមុំ” is a popular folk game that many Cambodians play during the Khmer New Year or their free time from work. People play this game for fun and entertainment, as well as to create friendship and closeness between young people. In addition, this game involves education in the areas of intelligence, spirit, harmony, and understanding, especially for young men to understand women and create solidarity because women are physically weaker than men (they do not run as fast), so they will be more comfortable and united to find a way to reach the gap before another pair of competitors.
How to play
This game is usually played by groups of adult young men and women from 8 to 10 people or more, with an equal number of men and women. They stand holding hands in a large circle, alternating between men and women, and one pair of men and women volunteer to run first.
First, the pair of men and women walk around the circle, clap or touch the hand of another pair they like, and then run around the circle. When another pair are clapped or touched, the pair must run away in the opposite direction to the pair who clapped their hand. Running around the circle until the two pairs meet somewhere, they must switch partners, taking the opposite sex. After changing sides, they must run in opposite directions to fill the space left by the pair that was slapped or touched. The pair that ran in first is considered to be out, while the pair that did not enter must continue walking and clap the other pair in the same way, and then they continue to play until everyone has played. Alternatively, they can make the atmosphere more fun by clapping three pairs at the same time.
