GASING
Gasing or top spinning has been an adult form of recreation among Malays in rural areas for hundreds of years. A typical gasing is about the size of a dinner plate and may weigh about 5.5kg.
Spinning gasing is hardly child's play as it requires strength, great dexterity and precise timing. Before it can be spun, a rope must be tightly wound round the spindle until it covers the whole of the smooth upper surface. The other end of the rope and the upper surface are held lightly together.
After launch, the gasing is quickly scooped off the ground with a thin wooden bat and transferred to a metal receptacle on a short wooden post. An expert spinner can make a perfectly balanced gasing spin for as long as two hours at a stretch. According to local beliefs, a gasing will spin for 24 hours or more if a spirit enters it. |
