Another classic example of children’s games encapsulating a culture is (HUMAN KNOT)

 ‘Doctor Wak-wak’. In this game, the ‘it’ is asked to turn his back while a group of children holding hands, tangle themselves in the most twisted as possible. The ‘it’ then begins to untangle the ‘human tangle’ when the children calls for Doctor Wak-wak to help them. At first glance, the game is absolutely pointless, but with careful analysis we can actually see what goes into the entire game. The ‘it’ has to figure out how to untangle the seemingly twisted mass of bodies using his own ingenuity. The value of this game is in the preservation of the Filipino problem-solving approach, the value of innovativeness and the traditional culture of ‘pagkamalikhain’. This same problem-solving approach is also evident in games like sungka, ‘biko’ and ‘lumpat-tunok’. Other Filipino traits and values that can be seen in various games are agility and resiliency in ‘patintero’, and ‘chinese-garter’; and conservativeness in ‘panaguay’ and ‘pepsi-pepsi-seven-up’. As a point of objectivity, let us also point out that the culture of gambling can also be seen early on in games like ‘bug-oy’, ‘teks’ and ‘pitik-pitik’.

With these games it is evident that what may seem as plain and insignificant to the observer are actually repositories of a colorful culture. So, how are we to deal with these things? Naturally, as culture is an essential part of being a Filipino, we have to preserve these games and make sure that they are not clouded by what the modern era has to offer. Nowadays, we can no longer find children playing at the roadsides after classes because of the excitement online games have to offer. Children would rather spend their time couching in front of the television, playing video games than spend the same time in a physical work-out with traditional Filipino games. There are problems that have emerged from this neglect of tradition and culture. Directly, it has affected the growth of our children and their ability to address real-life situations and decision-making.

Set up & instructions

Be aware that the activity involves close physical proximity and touch potentially in sensitive places!  It can be used as a first activity in an adventurous program with volunteers (e.g., the start of an Outward Bound program).  However, if the program is less adventurous, or group members potentially will have significant problems with such proximity, e.g., due to culture, or social or psychological problems, then Human Knot could be introduced later in a program.

Ideal group size is approximately 10, but it can be done with anywhere from about 7 to 16.  Much higher or lower and the task doesn't really work.  The more in a group, the more difficult the task, partly because of the complexity, and partly because there is physically less room to move.

If there are two or more groups doing the task simultaneously, have the groups reasonably spaced out, so they don't feel distracted by a sense of competition.

Ask participants to form a circle, shoulder-to-shoulder.  Encouraging/urging participants to all stand closer can be a subtle way of helping to prepare them for what is about to come.

Ask participants to each place a hand in the middle of the circle and to grasp another hand.

To emphasize learning of names and get a bit of fun going, ask participants to introduce themselves to the person they are holding hands with.

Then ask participants to put their other hand in the middle, grasp a different person's hand, and introduce themselves.

Don't let participants let go of hands - some will be tempted to think the activity might then be over - but it is only just starting.

Explain to participants that what you'd like them to do is untangle themselves, without letting go of hands, into a circle.

There will be a mixture of reactions, often including nervous laughter, fun amusement, excitement, trepidation, strong suspicion that it can't be done, and others who may view the task as a somewhat sadistic or inappropriate joke.  Often some group members will have done the task before, but this doens't really matter, each time the task is unique.

Participants may change their grip so as to more comfortable, but they are not to unclasp and re-clasp so as to undo the knot.

If you want name-learning emphasized, then explain that whenever the group is talking to someone, or about someone, that the person's first name must be used.  This usually requires supervision and reinforcement by the instructor, but once enforced, is excellent for learning names.  It also usually helps the group to work together and find solution, because their communications and more accurate with names involved.

Stand back and see what happens.

Be prepared to see little progress for quite some time (up to 10 minutes).  However, once the initial unfolding happens, the pace towards the final solution usually seems to quicken.

However, because each occasion is unique, there are also odd times when a very fast solution falls out - too easy.  In such cases, you ask a group to try the task again - its usually a bit harder second time around.  Occasionally, the task seems too hard and participants seem to make almost no progress.  Let them struggle for about 10 minutes, then you can offer the group one unclasp and reclasp - they need to discuss and decide what unclasp-reclasp would be most useful.

Most of the time a full circle falls out, but occasionally there are two or even three interlocking circles.  So, really the task is to sort the knot out into its simplest structure.