The grown-up kids series

Spintop Master

“Faria” short for José Faria Júlio, is a “grown-up kid” from Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, who makes toys and games for a living. Legs from beds and wardrobes. Fruit crates and building scraps. He make his toys with these and other everyday leftovers. A simple piece of a bed, whittled down, becomes a spintop in the hands of this playful guy.

In his travels, Faria has discovered many ways of playing with other “grown-up kids”. With Valdemar he learned how to make “whip” tops, which look like a traditional top, but without the “castle” knob. To spin them, you need a whip made with a stick and a few strips of cloth. By the way, it took him just a day to learn in theory, but he had to wait five years to actually see one go.

After much research, he finally found Zé. With him, Faria finally saw how a “whip” top really works. But the “five years” part is just a turn of phrase. When he was a kid, Faria also suffered five years only knowing how to spin his top upside down. That time he was saved by his grandpa, who taught him the right way to get it spinning.

Having learned so many tricks with more experienced folks, Faria became a Master in the art of top making and spinning, attracting attention from boys wherever he goes. In this recording, learn a little more about Faria, master of spinning tops and charming kids of all ages.

Text, editing and mixing: Marlene Peret

Photo: Samuel Macedo