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I Ko (Coconut-Shell Stilts, Rong Thao Kala) — Two Large, Flattish Coconut-Shell Halves with a 1-2 m Cord Through the Eye Holes; Stand on Them, Grip the Cord Between the Toes, Keep It Taut and Walk
อีโก๊ะ (i ko; also kop kap, kup kap, kop kaep, rong thao kala, ma kala and more) is a folk toy that children and teenagers walk and race on. Its names differ by area, perhaps after the sound it makes when walking and running. It trains coordination between the feet and the hands holding the cord.
This blueprint makes a real i ko to the sizes in the source.
Beginner
About 1 hour
Instructions
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1
Real sizes
Real sizes
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Things under the feet, before it
Things under the feet, before it
Wooden shoes are worn to walk through thorns; the i ko is stood on to walk and run for fun.
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3
Read from the source
Read from the source
"Large, flattish shells of equal size are chosen so they are comfortable to stand on, do not hurt the feet, and you do not fall off." (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author not named, CC BY 4.0)
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4
Shells
Shells
Choose two fairly large, flattish coconut-shell halves of equal size and sand them smooth.
Materials for this step:
Coconut1 piece
Sandpaper1 piece5
5
Thread the cord
Thread the cord
Thread a cord or jute string about 1-2 metres long through the eye holes of the shells. If a hole is too small, enlarge it with a pointed knife or a nail.
Materials for this step:
Rope1 pieceTools needed:
Knife6
6
Knot
Knot
Knot both ends of the cord neatly so they cannot slip out of the shells while walking and running.
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7
Real photos
Real photos
Photos of a real i ko (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author not named, CC BY 4.0)
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How to play
How to play
Set both shells upside down on the ground and stand on them, gripping the cord between the big toe and the second toe, holding the cord with both hands at waist to chest height. Lift each hand with the stepping leg, and keep the cord taut all the time, or you will easily fall.
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Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting the i ko.
Flow
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History and limits
History and limits
The i ko is played more by boys than girls. Other names (Thai): กบกับ, กุบกับ, อีกุบอีกับ, โกบกาบ, ปะกับ, ก๊อบแก๊บ, โก๊ะกะ, โกกเกก, อีก๊บ, อีโก้บ, รองเท้ากะลา, ม้ากะลา.
Source: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Traditional Objects of Everyday Use database, "อีโก๊ะ", author not named (CC BY 4.0 licence).
**Limits** The source gives no shell size as a number.
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