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. When the stick
is upended, the pebbles fall to the other end of the tube, making a sound
reminiscent of rain falling. The rainstick is believed to have been invented by
the Aztecz and was played in the belief it could bring about rainstorms. It was
also found on the Peruvian coasts, though it is not certain if it was made by
the Incas. Rainsticks are usually made from any of several species of cactus.
The cacti, which are hollow, are dried in the sun. The spines are removed, then
driven into the cactus like nails. Pebbles or other small objects are placed
inside the rainstick, and the ends are sealed. A sound like falling water is
made when the rainstick has its direction changed to a vertical position.
Although
it was thought to have been invented in Mexico, many similar instruments can
also be found in Southeast Asia, Australia and Africa, where it is often made
using bamboo rather than dried cactus.
Two
species of cactus used are: Eulychina acida and Echinopsis pachanoi.
Rainsticks
may also be made with other common materials like paper towel rolls instead of
cactus, and nails or toothpicks instead of thorns, and they are often sold to
tourists visiting parts of Latin America, including the Southern United States.
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