Panjat Pinang, Indonesia’s traditional game symbol for teamwork, trustworthy and determination

9 August 2009 One Comment

Panjat Pinang (climb areca nut tree) is a traditional game that normally held in Indonesia on celebrating Indonesia’s independence day, every August 17th. This game is about climbing an areca nut tree, but these areca nut will be lubricated with oil so its become slippery for anyone who want to climb it. Once someone able to reach top of Areca Nut, he/she then could grab available present that hanging there.

Panjat Pinang itself originated by Dutch imperialism on Indonesia, early of 18th century. On special occasion like wedding ceremonial or other, they provide this lubricated areca nut tree with gift on top of it like cheese, sugar or clothes, and they would lets local people to compete to climb the tree for its prize, as those gift were consider as luxurious things by local people on that time. Panjat Pinang tradition then continue exists till date.

Normally, a single person would almost impossible to make it to the top on this panjat pinang game, because they will fall often due to areca nut tree is slippery for climb, therefore, people will make a group and they will work together by let other going up trough his shoulder or head to reach top of areca nut tree. It still hard game though group of 4-6 people trying to conquer this lubricated areca nut tree. Therefore, Panjat Pinang is a symbol for teamwork, trustworthy and determination.