Gasingan (The Legendary Javanese Toy)

At the past, when the civilization was not as modern as now, the Javanese made their own toys. Toys were made from materials that they found in their surrounding. Materials like coconut fiber, wood and bamboo were most used. With those materials, the people were able to make toys like car, boat, and gasingan.

Well, here I want to tell about a legendary toy that has name Gasingan or Gasing. Today, this toy is rare; it is not played by the children anymore. Kids prefer to play video games, watch TV or RC car than play gasingan. Moreover, many kids do not know if this toy exists. The only place that we can find this toy is at tourism place around Yogyakarta. I found it at Kraton and at Gembira Loka zoo. The price for this toy is cheap, it is about IDR4, 000. It will be cheaper when we can bid well.


This toy is made from bamboo and wood. As we can see at the picture, the bamboo for the tube is about ten centimeter with wood board to cover each pole. A bamboo stick that is about twenty centimeters placed in the middle as the wick so that it can stand when turning. A sided hole is made on the bamboo. This hole will create sound ‘kwoooooo’ when it is played. A line and a small lath of bamboo are used to play the toy.

To play gasingan is very simple; first pass the line through the hole on the lath. Secondly, twist the line on the upper wick. Thirdly, pull the line with one hand while the other hand is holding the lath.

At the past, groups of kid played gasingan. They competed to be the one whose toy was spinning fastest and last standing. This toy was fun and very entertaining; moreover, the game was creating communication among the kids, they shared stories and experience.

Quoted from : http://discover-indonesia.com/jogjakarta/gasingan-the-legendary-javanese-toy/

Supported by : JavaTourism, Lintang Buana Tours