Chapteh Chapters

 

(Photo Credit: StraitsTimes)

What is Chapteh?

It is a device which is made up simply of feathers and a heavy base. The heavy base is calibrated with some discs to allow the Chapteh to be centrally weighted and to allow it to land upright when it hit the ground. The look of the Chapteh has changed over time due to the changing of times and to make it more appealing to changing demographic. From a plain one, the Chapteh of nowaday are more colourful and looks more vibrant and better constructed. There also Chapteh that are made of synthetic materials such as plastic feathers to make it more durable and long-lasting. 

Origins

Chapteh is a game that has its roots as far back as the 5th Century BCE China (Tang Dynasty). It was known as 'Kicking Little Shuttlecock" in Chinese. It is believed it was used to train military men of that time. During the Tang Dynasty, it was used by Shaolin Monks to train and improve their martial arts.

The Game of it all?

The objective of it all is to maintain the Chapteh away from landing on the ground as long as one can. It must, however, be kept kicking by the individual or between several participants/players. The player that resulted in the Chapteh landing on the ground, loses. This supposedly simple game requires great dexterity and balance and vice versa a good way to enhance or strength one's dexterity and balance as well. It is also great exercise.

Competition

When played in groups, the play area for each team is rather similar to that of netball, badminton or even sepaktakraw court. Each player is to keep the Chapteh in play by kicking it among their team players and eventually kick it over the net with the aim of making the opposing team player lost balance resulting the chapteh to land on the court floor. A point will be awarded to the team that causes the opposing team to land the chapteh in their own court.