The enduring appeal of the spinning top game.

Spinning top – a folk game that seemed to have faded away in many places – is still maintaining its strong vitality, becoming an indispensable part of the cultural life of the people of Lam Thuong commune.

It has become a habit for Mrs. Hoang Thi Da in Chang Pong village to set aside her household chores every afternoon to be at the stadium. Despite her age, her hands are still nimble as she expertly winds the strings and spins the top. Mrs. Da shared that playing spinning tops helps her improve her agility and eyesight, and most importantly, it brings her joy in her old age by allowing her to chat and socialize with her neighbors after a hard and busy day of work.

Spinning the top had become a daily routine for Mrs. Hoang Thi Da every afternoon.

"If I don't go out to the yard in the afternoon, I miss the sound of the spinning top and I miss my neighbors so much. Playing this game is both fun and helps keep my hands and feet agile and flexible. Holding the spinning top makes me feel relaxed, and all my fatigue disappears," Mrs. Da confided.

The women of Lam Thuong commune are playing spinning tops.

Like Mrs. Da, Mr. Nong Huu Thuc in Hin Lan village also goes out to the yard every afternoon to play spinning tops with everyone. For him, this sport is not only an effective form of exercise that keeps his joints flexible, but also a way to preserve the traditional beauty of his ancestors.

Every afternoon, Mr. Nong Huu Thuc would go out to the yard to play spinning tops with everyone.

Besides playing, Mr. Thuc also regularly instructs the children in the village on how to choose good wood for carving spinning tops, how to wrap the string tightly, and the technique of "splitting" the top accurately, aiming to pass on the passion for this folk game to the younger generation. "Playing spinning tops is not only for health training but also a way for us to preserve this folk game. I often tell the children to diligently learn to play, so that no matter how modern life becomes, this beautiful tradition of Lam Thuong commune will not fade away," Mr. Thuc shared.

Every afternoon at the village stadium, regardless of age or gender, all barriers are erased, leaving only a sense of community and a natural and enduring awareness of preserving national cultural identity. Each player holds a small piece of rope, tightly wrapped around a spinning top made of hard wood such as beech or oak.

When swinging the spinning top onto the field, players must coordinate arm and wrist strength with their stance so that the top spins rapidly upon landing, creating stable and sustained rotations. High-quality spinning tops can spin continuously for many minutes, even withstanding direct hits from opponents without being knocked out of the playing area.

The vibrancy of the spinning top game in Lam Thuong is further affirmed during festivals and the Lunar New Year. In the minds of the local people, a New Year without the sound of spinning tops is not truly a New Year. In the early days of the new year, large-scale spinning top competitions are organized in the commune, attracting many people from surrounding villages to participate and cheer. This is not only an opportunity for the "spinning top players" to showcase their skills but also a unique cultural space where traditional customs are celebrated.

Spinning tops have become a popular sport among the people during festivals and the Lunar New Year. (Photo by Duy Khánh)

Such competitions not only create a joyful and exciting atmosphere at the beginning of the year but also serve as a practical way to preserve national identity in the face of modern entertainment. Mr. Hoang Van Coi, Vice Chairman of the Lam Thuong Commune People's Committee, said: "The spinning top game has long been an indispensable part of the local people's lives, so the commune always incorporates spinning top competitions into Tet (Lunar New Year) and other festivals...". Creating such a playground not only brings joy to the people but also awakens pride and helps the younger generation become aware of their responsibility to preserve their homeland's identity.

Regularly held spinning top competitions have provided a useful recreational activity for the people. (Photo by Duy Khánh).

In the context of the information technology boom, where many rural children are becoming engrossed in electronic devices, the fact that Lam Thuong commune has maintained the tradition of spinning tops is a noteworthy achievement. Local authorities and organizations consistently encourage and provide suitable venues for people to continue this activity. Integrating this folk game into official cultural events has elevated the art of spinning tops, creating a continuous cultural flow within the community.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, the clacking sound of spinning tops and the joyful laughter on the Lam Thuong commune stadium are testaments to the enduring vitality of traditional values. More than just a folk game, spinning tops have become a connecting thread for the community, a lesson in skill and national pride. Preserving and promoting this beautiful tradition not only enriches the spiritual life of the people but also contributes to the preservation of unique cultural heritage for future generations, ensuring that every evening, the commune stadium remains a meeting place of joy and unity.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/suc-song-cua-tro-choi-danh-quay-post893710.html