Songoi Top

This item is recorded by the Sierra Leone National Museum catalogue as a Songoi , or spinning top. It is made by drilling a hole into a palm nut, and attaching a stick. The catalogue notes that There are four tops, 2 or 3 players may play at a turn, others may play or rotate into the playing positions. Each player simultaneously spins his top on a mat - which ever knocks the others down, renders its owner the winner. A referee is usually elected by the party who should himself be an expert of the game, to decide all cases . The top was made by a John Bakondu of Kissy Village in January 1965.

Further Information

• Type: Games, toys, models
• Object: Songoi Top
• Materials: Wood, Vegetable, organic fibre
• Culture Group: Mende, Kono, Kisi, Sherbro
• Dimensions: Unknown
• Production Date: 1965
• Associated Places: Kissy Village
• Associated People: John Bakondu (Creator)
• Museum: Sierra Leone National Museum
• Accession Number: SLNM.1965.13.01D

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