What is Ten Yang ເຕັ້ນຍາງ?
Ten Yang ເຕັ້ນຍາງ is the Lao term for dancing with the rubber. More than just a playful activity, it’s a childhood game that many of us grew up enjoying in schoolyards and village spaces.
For me, Ten Yang was one of the most unforgettable games of my youth. It wasn’t only about moving with the rope; it was about competition, teamwork, and the joy of being surrounded by friends.
In Lao culture, Ten Yang is both a bonding game and a playful way to build agility. It reflects the spirit of community, where fun and fitness blend naturally into daily life.
How to make Ten Yang ເຕັ້ນຍາງ?
When we were young, we didn’t always have store-bought ropes. Instead, we crafted our own Ten Yang using rubber bands. These bands were usually red, brown, green or orange, and we’d link them together to form a long rope strong enough for jumping.
There were two distinct ways of making it. I used to call them the basic level and the top level. The easy version was quicker to assemble, while the top level required more patience and skill; but it gave us a sturdier rope, and a greater sense of pride once finished.
This simple act of creating our own jump ropes added another layer of fun and creativity to the game, making Ten Yang not just about agility, but also about resourcefulness and teamwork.
Basic level
This is the easiest way to make a rope out of rubber: making a simple knot between each rubber band.
Top Level
This is the next level of making rope of out rubber. Folding the rubber band and looping to another one makes it stronger, stable and thicker.
How to play?
Ten Yang is played with a stretchy loop of elastic held around the ankles of two players while a third jumps in and out, following a set sequence of movements. The jumper performs actions such as stepping inside the rope, outside of it, landing on top, or to the side of it, often in pattern.
Once the sequence is completed correctly, the holders raise the rope higher; from ankles to knees, then to the waist; making the game progressively harder.
If the jumper makes a mistake, the turn passes to the next player, and the challenge continues until someone successfully clears the highest level.
In Laos, Ten Yang is often played in groups, with children chanting rhymes while skipping. This social aspect makes it not just exercise, but also a community activity that strengthens bonds.
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