Reav Bong Korng or Finding Shrimp Game

Reav Bong Korng or Finding Shrimp​ Game “ល្បែងរាវបង្កង” is a kind of traditional game that Cambodians often play during the Khmer New Year season or during the free time. The game is most often played in the bright moonlit night and the number of players is not limited. The game is played in slightly different ways depending on the region.

During the second week of April, Cambodians celebrate their Khmer New Year. It’s customary to participate in activities like “Reav Bong’ Korng” as this fun game is also part of the celebration. This game is played using a scarf to blindfold and the coconut shells or bamboo pipes to hit the sound.

Out of all the classic games, this one has the greatest enthusiasts and players. Besides other Khmer games in Khmer New Year, this game may be the most performed whenever youngsters gather together. Khmer New Year (Choul Chhnam Thmey) is a popular time for adults to participate in this game. The objective of this Khmer children’s game is also to enjoy and build awareness of the urgent time, be sensible, and be attentive.

How to play

First, players must be selected. The number of players is not limited. Then, two persons are chosen, one person plays role as the Finder (Shrimp Catcher), the other plays the role as a Shrimp (mostly, one man and one woman are chosen).

Next, they will use a scarf to blindfold both of them, therefore they cannot see anything. The person who plays the role as a Shrimp is given the coconut shells or bamboo pipes, while the Finder is given nothing.

The other players stand in a circle (leave a wide space), and the chosen-two start the game in the middle of the circle. When the person who plays the role as Shrimp starts to hit the coconut shells or bamboo pipes, he or she must quickly escape from where they are standing. The hitting sound will be heard by the Finder, he or she will rush to hug or catch according the source of the sound.

If the Finder catches the Shrimp, the Finder is the winner and has the right to order the loser do whatever animal action as he or she wants. If the Finder fails to catch the Shrimp, the Finder loses and the Shrimp has the right to order the Finder do whatever animal action as he or she wants. The game is played in this way from one pair to another until the end of the game. This game is a practice for listening to sounds, as well as for being strong and quick-witted.

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