TOP SPINNING

The Gasing (Top Spinning) game originated from Mecca, played since 450BC and brought to the Malay Peninsula by Arab traders. Hence, this game was introduced since the Malacca Malay Sultanate era. From Malacca Gasing was introduced to the rest of the Malay states and became a popular game. Now, this game maintains as a cultural heritage of the Malay community and well-known in Melaka, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Negeri Sembilan.

There are various types of tops. They are 'gasing jantung' (heart top), 'gasing kelawar' (bat top), 'gasing telur' (egg top), 'gasing perenang' (swimmer top), 'gasing tanjung' (cape top) and 'gasing pangkah' (cross top). The top's rope is made of jute measuring between 300cm and 450cm in accordance with the top's circumference. One end of the rope is tied to a piece of metal as a handle for swinging the top, while the other end is glued to avoid disintegration. In this game a player must have the skills for spinning, striking, lifting, straightening and protecting the spinning top.