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Chile is a country in South America, occupying a long narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific ocean. It is almost 3,000 miles long and averages only 100 miles wide. Northern Chile is home to the world's driest desert, where the rain stick is believed to have originated. Rain sticks were made from long, hollow cactus tubes that were dried in the sun. The spikes were removed and driven back into the cactus like nails. Small pebbles were placed inside, and the ends were sealed. A sound like falling rain was made as the stick was turned, used in desert ceremonies where it was believed to bring rain.
Rainsticks From Chile Directions
Everyone has paper, so this is the easiest method, but there are many more. Check out the videos below.
1. Fold a piece of the largest paper you can find (even a newspaper would work) in half the short way like a folder. Create an interesting pattern on the front using whatever art supplies you have. Concentrate your design at the open side, as designs near the fold are not going to show. If you “mess up” use the back, then if you “mess up” again fold it inside out and you now have two more areas to use. None of your messed-up sides will show as they will be rolled up.
2. At the opposite short edge of your good design, fold the paper up about 3 inches. Cut strips about one inch wide up to the fold all down the short edge, like fringe. Do not cut past the fold. See the 2nd image in the How to Make a Rainstick photo above.
3. Fold each strip in random crazy zigzags. See 2nd photo above.
4. Start rolling from the edge with the fringe strips so the strips will be inside the tube and your good side will end up on the outside. Roll to about the size of a paper towel tube. See 3rd photo above.
5. Run a thick line of glue along the edge of the paper and hold it closed with some rubber bands or wind some string or yarn around it.
6. Cut 2 circles of fabric or paper about 1/2 inch larger all around the end of your rain stick. If using paper circles, cut tabs as shown above.
7. Spread glue around the outer edge but not in the middle of one fabric circle, or on each tab of your paper circle. Place the circle on top of one end of your rain stick and fold down the edges around the top. For paper circles, fold down one tab at a time. Hold closed with a rubber band or string.
8. Fill the rain stick with a quarter to a third cup of pebbles, beads, sprinkles, or expired dried foods like rice or beans. Use a funnel and do it over a bowl, box, or tray. Place your hand over the unsealed end and test the sound by slowly rolling and tipping diagonally. Add or decrease filling as necessary for a good rain sound.
9. Spread glue around the outer edge but not in the middle of the other fabric circle or on each tab of your paper circle as you did with the first end. Place the circle on top of one end of your rain stick and fold down the edges or tabs around the top. Hold closed with a rubber band or string.
10. Glue on decorations like string, beads, and feathers.
11. Write your name on one end or along the seam of your rain stick. Email photo with your name, grade, and MHR or SMA to mekross@syrdiocese.org, or text to 315-857-5100.
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