| James Kon |
STUDENTS from Universiti Brunei Darussalam’s (UBD) Academy of Brunei Studies (APB) have created a mobile application version of the game for members of the public to download and play to preserve the traditional Bruneian chess game ‘Chator Asli Brunei’.
The application was launched yesterday by Distinguished Professor Dr David Koh, Assistant ViceChancellor (Innovation and Enterprise) of UBD in a ceremony held at the Inspiring Hall of the university’s Student Centre.
Dr Haji Tassim bin Haji Abu Bakar, who played a pivotal role in realising the application, said, “Brunei traditional chess is one of the traditional games of the Brunei people from old times. From history, Brunei traditional chess is a game that is frequently played in the palace (Istana).
“I see many instances of Brunei cultural heritage in games that are played inside the home or outdoors such as Baling Kayu Tiga, racing games, and Santul, all of which have almost vanished or have already vanished.
“Therefore,” he continued, “I suggest the undergraduates, who are the new generation and future leaders of the country, look into this matter which is related to the national philosophy of MIB. The advancement in technology in the modern globalisation era has caused children of this generation to almost lose touch with Brunei traditional games, especially Brunei traditional chess.
“Brunei traditional chess is even more less known, we only hear about normal [Western] chess only. Our generation currently does not know about the traditional games which were played by our grandparents especially Brunei traditional chess,” Dr Haji Tassim added.
The ‘Chator Asli Brunei’ application, available only in the Google Play Store, Dr Haji Tassim said, “has a classic background with instructions in the Malay Language and features a number of moves such as the lightning move”.
Distinguished Professor Dr David Koh said, “According to Dr Awang Haji Mohammad Jamil Al-Sufri (1980) in his book ‘Sultan Bolkiah, Chatatan Perwira-Perwira Brunei’, Brunei traditional chess was among the favourite games of Sultan Bolkiah. Therefore the games were frequently played in the Istana at the time.
“Since traditional games are not known to the young generation,” he continued, “in an effort to preserve and share the knowledge on the traditional games, I am honoured to announce that the undergrads of the Academy of Brunei Studies, through their innovative spirit and ingenuity, have successfully created a mobile phone application on the ‘Chator Asli Brunei’ game.”
Some 22 students from a number of schools are also participating in a workshop and competition on the traditional game.