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.
Traditional rain stick.
Rain in the modern age.
If you long for the peaceful sound of falling rain you can create it yourself by making your own rainstick.
Regardless of their beginnings or ceremonial purpose many people still make rain sticks in the traditional manner.
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.
The rainstick is believed to have been invented by the mapuches and was played in the belief it could bring about rainstorms.
These cylindrical instruments mimic the sound of rain when turned from side to side.
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.
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.
When the stick is upended the pebbles fall to the other end of the tube making a sound reminiscent of rain falling.
It is believed that rainsticks originated from south america and were invented to help encourage rainy.
Many cultures still practice these traditional rituals today either to stay connected to their heritage or as a way to hope for rain.