Try to top this: A boy admiring the colourful mini gasing made by Mohd Yunus while playing at the Johor Craft Festival at a mall in Johor Baru. — Bernama
JOHOR BARU: Mohd Yunus Ismail used to watch his father play the gasing, a centuries-old pastime among village folk, at Felda Tenang in Labis.
The gasing they used was a heavy wooden top, sometimes measuring up to 45cm in diameter, standing about 13cm high and weighing up to 5kg.
Mohd Yunus, however, noticed a gap when it came to younger children, especially girls, who found the gasing too heavy and difficult to handle.
“The traditional gasing is heavy. Some children do not have the strength or confidence to play with it,” he said.
So, the now 54-year-old gasing maker set about getting the children involved.
In 2014, he started making the mini gasing.
His smaller version of the spinning top measures between 4cm and 5cm in diameter and are suitable for children aged three to seven.
Safety was a major consideration in designing the mini gasing, he said, and the size was chosen to prevent children from putting it into their mouths, which may lead to choking.
Mohd Yunus added that he also uses chemical-free paint to ensure the gasing is safe for children.
“Gasing has always been part of my life. Even today, it is still played professionally in my village, with proper courts and organised competitions,” he said when met during the Johor Craft Festival held at a shopping mall here yesterday.
By trade, Mohd Yunus is a carpenter, a skill that naturally extended into crafting traditional gasing for adults, and now for children.
Despite their smaller size, though, the mini gasing are made using the same traditional materials as their full-sized counterparts, namely kayu cengal and kayu merbau, prized for their durability and strength.
“These types of wood allow the gasing to last a long time and spin properly,” he said.
After years of experience, he is able to produce two mini gasing within 18 minutes, with each capable of spinning for between 30 and 35 seconds.
He said the vibrantly-coloured mini gasing, which come in several shapes, have become very popular among parents and children.
Mohd Yunus said many children, especially those living in cities and urban areas, are unfamiliar with gasing and rarely encounter the traditional game outside of festivals or cultural events.
“Through these mini gasing, children become curious and learn more about the original game, ensuring the tradition does not fade away,” he said.
A father of six and grandfather of two, Mohd Yunus said he hopes his passion for gasing will be passed down to his children and grandchildren.
“Children today are very attached to gadgets, but I hope these small gasing can help keep the tradition alive,” he said of his creations that cost about RM15 a piece.
He hopes that future generations will still find joy in a game once played on village grounds, even if they do not graduate to the heavy tops.
