How to Make a Rainstick Out of Cactus
The origin of the traditional South American rain stick isn't definitively known. Indian tribes in Chile, Peru and Mexico all lay claim to having invented them, while one strong theory contends that African slaves who arrived during the Spanish occupation brought them to the New World, where indigenous people quickly adopted them. The mellifluous sounds of the traditional rain stick were supposedly once thought to have the power to draw water from the clouds, or just to make beautiful music. Regardless of their beginnings or ceremonial purpose, many people still make rain sticks in the traditional manner.
Making a Traditional Rainstick from Cactus
Choose a dead or dying branch from a cactus, and cut it to the desired length. The long stalks of the traditionally used capado cactus are ideal for making rain sticks, as they dry hard and hollow in the center. At the start of your project, though, it's important that the stalk is still soft and somewhat pliable so you can work with it.
- The origin of the traditional South American rain stick isn't definitively known.
- The long stalks of the traditionally used capado cactus are ideal for making rain sticks, as they dry hard and hollow in the center.
Carefully remove the thorns from the stalk and set them aside. Use the knife to strip them, flush with the surface of the stalk.
Push the thorns into the stalk, toward the center. Use the hammer to lightly tap them in if needed. A spiral pattern down the length of the stick is best, as that creates the light sound associated with the rain. Keep the distance between the thorns as even as possible. How close the thorns should be to each other depends on the size of the materials that will fall inside. The sound is best if the seeds or pebbles strike most of the thorns as they go down. Let the cactus dry hard before proceeding to the next step.
- Carefully remove the thorns from the stalk and set them aside.
- Use the knife to strip them, flush with the surface of the stalk.
Cut a piece of wood to tightly plug one end of the stick. Tap it in gently with the hammer. Now fill the stick 1/3 to 1/2 its height with pebbles or seeds. Cut the other wood plug and tap it into the other end.
Decorate your rain stick by winding the yarn tightly or loosely around the stalk. You can also paint them.
Tip
Before installing the second plug, try several types of materials, singularly or in combination, to derive the "rain" sound you want. Pebbles make the hardest sound, beans less so. Rice and sand make softer "rain."
Warning
Do take care to only cull dying stalks, not healthy ones, which cause injury to the main cactus.
Related Articles
References
Tips
- Before installing the second plug, try several types of materials, singularly or in combination, to derive the "rain" sound you want. Pebbles make the hardest sound, beans less so. Rice and sand make softer "rain."
Warnings
- Do take care to only cull dying stalks, not healthy ones, which cause injury to the main cactus.
Writer Bio
Elise Cooke has been a professional writer since 1990. She is a national award-winning author of three books on creative frugality and she has written for "Bay Area Kids Magazine," The Bay Area Newsgroup and various other publications as well as her website, SimpletonSolutions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in international relations from the University of California at Davis.
