Mengenal Permainan Tradisional Gasing di Tanah Melayu Kepulaun Riau

Summary

The video showcases the traditional game of gasing, a popular folk activity in the Riau Islands, Indonesia. This game, which involves spinning a wooden top using a string, has been played for generations and is a significant part of Malay culture. The game varies in style across different regions, with each having unique ways to play it. Despite its seasonal nature, gasing remains a cherished pastime across all age groups, particularly in coastal areas. Local governments help preserve this tradition through public demonstrations during festivals, ensuring its survival and cultural importance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Gasing is a traditional game widely known and played in almost every area of Riau Islands Province, Indonesia.
• 😀 The game involves spinning a top using a string, which rotates on its axis.
• 😀 Gasing is not only recognized in Riau Islands, but also in many other parts of Indonesia, with various regional names.
• 😀 The game is especially popular among the Malay community and has existed since ancient times, even before the Dutch colonial era.
• 😀 In Riau Islands, the tops are made from stigi or smoky wood, carved into the shape of a top, and equipped with a nylon string about one meter long.
• 😀 Traditional gasing crafting takes around one day to complete, depending on the type and complexity of the design.
• 😀 Gasing typically comes in round shapes or resembles objects like jicama or banana hearts, and can also look like plates.
• 😀 Different regions have different ways of playing the game. In Natuna, gasing is placed on a 40x40 cm glass surface, and the top that spins the longest wins.
• 😀 In other areas like Batam, Tanjung Pinang, Lingga, and Karimun, gasing is spun directly on the ground, and the first top to stop is 'struck' by another top.
• 😀 Gasing is still played in Riau Islands, especially in coastal areas, and is enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults.
• 😀 Local governments organize gasing performances during festivals or other special events to preserve the tradition and prevent it from disappearing.

Q & A

What is gasing, and how is it played?

Gasing is a traditional game played by spinning a top using a rope that wraps around its axis. It is widely known and played across various regions, especially in the Riau Islands Province.

Is gasing only found in the Riau Islands?

No, gasing is a traditional game found in many other regions of Indonesia. Although it is well-known in the Riau Islands, it is also a part of broader Indonesian culture, and the name for the game can vary between regions.

Who traditionally plays gasing?

Gasing is closely associated with the Malay community, though it has been enjoyed by people of all backgrounds across Indonesia. It is often played by various age groups, from children to adults.

What materials are used to make a gasing in the Riau Islands?

In the Riau Islands, gasing is typically made from stigi wood or smoked wood, which is carved into the shape of a top, and is then fitted with a nylon rope approximately 1 meter in length.

How long does it take to make a traditional gasing?

Creating a traditional gasing typically takes about one day, depending on the complexity of the design and the number of people working on it.

What shapes can a gasing take?

Gasing can come in various shapes, such as round, resembling a bengkoang fruit or a banana heart, and in some cases, it is shaped like a plate.

What are the different ways of playing gasing in different regions?

In Natuna, gasing is spun on a 40x40 cm glass surface, and the gasing that lasts the longest wins. In places like Batam, Tanjung Pinang, Lingga, and Karimun, gasing is spun directly on the ground, and the first gasing to stop is knocked away by another spinning gasing.

Is gasing still commonly played in the Riau Islands?

Yes, gasing is still played in the Riau Islands, although it is often seasonal. It remains popular, especially among people in coastal areas, across various age groups.

How does the government help preserve the tradition of gasing?

The local government helps preserve gasing by organizing demonstrations and performances during festivals and other special events to keep the tradition alive and prevent it from disappearing.

What is the significance of gasing in Indonesian culture?

Gasing holds cultural importance as a traditional game that reflects community interaction and craftsmanship. It also embodies the heritage of the Malay people and serves as a source of entertainment and skill development.