Soccer or association football is a very celebrated sport in Southeast Asia. From the AFF Cup Final between two countries to the local tournament final between two clubs representing different city districts, there is no shortage of exciting matches for the millions of fans in the region.
Therefore, you may stumble across some matches with a unique twist here. Have you seen videos of soccer players passing around a ball that is set on fire? Do you know what sport it is?
In Indonesia, this fiery variation of soccer comes in different names. The Dayak tribe in Central Kalimantan Province call it Sepak Sawut. This traditional sport is more than just about being brave enough to play, it was an integral part of the tribe’s culture in the old days.
How To Play “Fireball Soccer”?
The game of sepak sawut unfolds similarly to a soccer or futsal game in general. There are two competing teams, each team consists of five or seven players. They play on a field with two opposing goalposts.
Instead of using a ball made from synthetic leather, sepak sawut uses old coconut husks. After the water is drained, it is then immersed in a flammable liquid like kerosene for several hours. As the game kicks off, this “ball” is set ablaze.
The barefoot players compete for the flaming ball in two rounds that last for 10 minutes each. The side that scores the most goal when the time is over is declared victorious.
The match is usually played at nighttime with minimal lighting, creating a beautiful scenery of a literal fiery match.
Is Sepak Sawut Safe?
You might have a question about this extreme sport: do the players feel pain when kicking a coconut fireball?
Dagong, a sepak sawut player who participated in Festival Budaya Isen Mulang 2019, claimed that a fatal burning incident never occurred throughout the competition history.
For him, it was all about mastering the technique. No magic is involved.
Speaking to MMC Kalteng, Dagong revealed that the players applied toothpaste or other lubricant to protect themselves. Whenever fire hit their unprotected body part such as hair, they quickly put it off before it spread.
The Cultural Facts About Sepak Sawut
In the past, Sepak Sawut was a ritual of the Dayak tribe, which was performed when the locals opened a farm land or when someone passed away.
The tribe believed that the fireball would drive away evil spirits. The greater the fire, the more they were afraid to approach.
When it was a part of a procession for the dying, sepak sawut also aimed to light up the mood. It was a refreshment for the grieving family.
Keeping The Tradition Alive
Today, sepak sawut is practiced as a pure entertainment rather than a sacred ritual. It appears in cultural events, competitions, or celebrations such as the country’s Independence Day or a regional birthday.
For example, it was a sports branch that competed in Isen Mulang Cultural Festival 2022 in Palangka Raya city. Taking part were four teams from different municipalities of Kalimantan Tengah Province.
Excitement was high. People flocked to watch sepak a sawut game played in Kalteng Culture Park, including foreign tourists from New Zealand.
For the locals, keeping the fireball rolling is crucial to preserve both the enthusiasm and the tradition.
Read Also: What is Sepak Takraw? Introducing the Incredible Sport of “Foot Volleyball”
Source:
MMC Kalteng. Sepak Sawut Permainan Tradisional Kalteng. https://mmc.kalteng.go.id/berita/read/6709/sepak-sawut-permainan-tradisional-kalteng
