SEWEN Stage – Safeguarding Endangered Traditional Sports with ICTSG SEWEN stands for Safeguarding Endangered Wisdom of Ethnic Nations. It is the foundational stage of the ICTSG Traditional Sports and Games (TSG) Elevation Framework, aimed at identifying, preserving, and supporting traditional sports that exist primarily through oral tradition, cultural practice, or endangered heritage. 🔰 What is the SEWEN Stage? SEWEN recognizes traditional games that may lack formal documentation but are rich in symbolic, ritual, or community value. These games are often passed down through storytelling, play, and collective memory, and are at risk of disappearing without institutional support. SEWEN is ICTSG’s call to action for communities and cultural institutions to preserve these treasures before they fade into history. 📌 Qualification Criteria for SEWEN

Transmitted primarily through oral tradition Played locally without formal documentation Ethnic or indigenous community-based origin Ritualistic, seasonal, or symbolic gameplay At risk of extinction due to modernization or lack of players

📚 Sports Recognized at SEWEN Stage The following sports have already been reviewed and recognized under SEWEN for their cultural importance and oral legacy. If you play, represent, or belong to a community connected to these sports—or similar ones—you are encouraged to contact ICTSG for formal listing and support.

Sport Name Country / Region Cultural Relevance Summary

Almokabasah Arabian traditional wrestling Culturally rich but under-documented

Agawan base Philippines Informally passed down, community popular

Araw-lilim Philippines Purely oral and situational

Kapitang bakod Philippines Street game, zero documentation

Langit-lupa Philippines Culturally rich, limited formal support

Lawin at sisiw Philippines Played traditionally in schools

Tumbang preso Philippines Commonly played, not yet formalized

Ubusan lahi Philippines Family-rooted cultural play

Bayga India (Baiga Tribe) Culturally symbolic, underdocumented

Audaryspak Turkic/Central Asia Rarely documented, known in Central Asia

If you are a practitioner, researcher, cultural elder, or part of a federation linked to these sports—or similar ones—ICTSG invites you to contribute to their safeguarding by registering with us. 🌍 Supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The SEWEN initiative aligns with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development:

SDG 4: Foster lifelong learning through oral and physical cultural transmission SDG 5: Highlight traditional games played by women and girls SDG 10: Empower marginalized ethnic groups via sport representation SDG 11: Enhance community resilience through cultural safeguarding SDG 16: Promote inclusive and peaceful societies via play-based traditions SDG 17: Strengthen partnerships with cultural organizations and local governments

📨 How to Register a Sport at SEWEN

Visit the ICTSG Contact Page Submit an informal proposal including:

Sport/Game Name (original and translation) Local context and cultural role Who plays it and how it’s transmitted

ICTSG will provide guidance on oral documentation and next steps Your sport will be considered for inclusion in the next Sports Review Committee meeting Upon acceptance, you will receive SEWEN status recognition and a heritage profile

📣 What Recognition Provides

Institutional validation of a sport’s cultural relevance Eligibility for archiving, promotion, and future elevation Platform to reach national and international audiences Inclusion in ICTSG campaigns, exhibitions, and publications

Get Involved   Benefits of Joining   Support ICTSG

About ICTSG: The International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and revitalizing traditional sports and games as powerful tools for education, peace, and sustainable development.

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