These cylindrical instruments mimic the sound of rain when turned from side to side.
Traditional rain stick.
A rainstick is a long hollow tube partially filled with small pebbles or beans that has small pins or thorns arranged helically on its inside surface.
Sturdy construction will stand up to use in the classroom home or band over time much clearer sound than plastic or poorly made imitation rainsticks.
Pebbles or dried beans are then poured into.
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.
It is believed that rainsticks originated from south america and were invented to help encourage rainy.
The guajiro people of south america are known for shooting arrows at the clouds to pierce them and cause them to spill rain over their land.
When the stick is upended the pebbles fall to the other end of the tube making a sound reminiscent of rain falling.
The unique sound produced by turning the stick from end to end is mesmerizing to children and adults alike and is still used in traditional rain ceremonies throughout south america today.
If you long for the peaceful sound of falling rain you can create it yourself by making your own rainstick.
Many cultures still practice these traditional rituals today either to stay connected to their heritage or as a way to hope for rain.
The rainstick is believed to have been invented by the mapuches and was played in the belief it could bring about rainstorms.