pasil n English Spinning top (home-made, of wood). Cultural Note These are used in a traditional game played by two or more people in which one person spins his top and the other players throw theirs down in an effort to knock the first top out of action and leave their own spinning. In order to spin a top a string is wound around it and it is thrown down to the ground with a simultaneous flick of the wrist. There is a traditional “top season” which coincides with the months when the site for the current rice field is being cleared, January through March. In the course of doing this the men have to use their arms a lot and the throwing of the top is done to stop the muscles tightening up. The pastime, therefore, has a therapeutic effect. However, children, of course, delight in playing the game too, although tops are only seen during the traditional season.