Spinning top festival hoped to whip up tourism
Spinning top festival hoped to whip up tourism
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
They may have different names and shapes, but spinning tops, or
gasing as they are called in Indonesian, always succeed in
attracting the attention of children and adults alike.
Now, top spinners from 21 regions across the country are
gathering from Friday through Sunday at Ragunan Zoo in South
Jakarta to show off their expertise in making and spinning their
own unique tops.
The first ever spinning top festival in the country will also
showcase some 184 different kinds of spinning top from Aceh,
North Sumatra, Jakarta, Batam Island, Pontianak, Makassar, Manado
and Papua.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, which is hosting the
event, will also hold a workshop and discussion involving culture
and folklore experts, including Junus Melalota and Djames
Danangdjaja, during the three-day event.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik, who opened the
festival, said that the event was part of his ministry's efforts
to reintroduce to public the beauty of the country's traditional
games, as well as promote culture-based tourism.
"Although there are variations, top spinning is something that
is enjoyed by almost every ethnic group in Indonesia. That's why
we decided to stage a festival highlighting this pastime. With
the festival, we hope people will recognize its beauty," he said.
Gasing, one of thousands traditional pastimes and games in
Indonesia, is known as apjong in Ambon, pakik in Manado, and
baepiol in East Nusa Tenggara.
Amiruddin, a top-maker and "spinner" from Batam, said that
gasing was very popular in Batam, with children, teenagers and
adults all enjoying spinning tops or watching others doing so.
"We have a special field set aside for it in Batam. We even
have regular competitions," he said, while showing off his top-
spinning expertise.
Jero said that the traditional pastime could attract overseas
tourists as it was quite unique.
"The passtime could become a valuable tourist attraction when
several players are spinning tops at the same time. And if a top
is well packaged and presented, the tourists will buy them as
souvenirs," he said.
The event will also feature a giant top made by participants
from Klaten, Central Java, which will be registered with the
Indonesian Museum of Records (MURI).
Visitors can also buy various kinds of tops during the
festival.