Malaysian Tradisional Game:Top Spinning/Gasing

Gasing, or top spinning, is a traditional game popular among Malays in the olden days.Gasing is popular in Kelantan and Terenganu state. In rural areas, gasing contests were held during the rice-ripening season. Kampung folks believed that the spinning tops would help bring good harvest.


DescriptionBoth adults and children can play the game. The object of the game is to keep the top spinning for as long as possible and the player who's top spins the longest wins. This game is fast becoming extinct and efforts are being made in Malaysia to revive interest in the game by organising top spinning competitions.

EquipmentThe gasing or top is usually made of wood or hard fruits. It comes with a string, which is tightly wound round a nail at the base of the top. There are five different shapes of tops: plate-shaped, heart-shaped, flat-top, egg-shaped and Berembang (a reference to the shape of a fruit of a familiar seaside tree).

There is variation of how to play Gasing.The traditional form of play is spinning match,.While the modern version,is striking match, whereby the player tries to knock his opponents' top out of the circle with his own. This game is known as "Gasing Pangkah" in Malay.

Gasing competition were held on various part of Malaysia,especially in Kelantan state.Singapore and Brunei also one of the many country in Southeast Asia who still play and preserve the Gasing Tradition.