A Native American woman named Black Snake Woman taught her how to make an easy Native American rhythm instrument called a Dancing Stick. Here are the directions for it:

Materials Needed:

1 large feather
1 stick about 12-18” long
6 or more beads
4 bells
36 inches of yarn
1 Black Shoe Lace

Directions

1) Place the feather on the stick...

A Native American woman named Black Snake Woman taught her how to make an easy Native American rhythm instrument called a Dancing Stick. Here are the directions for it:

Materials Needed:

1 large feather
1 stick about 12-18” long
6 or more beads
4 bells
36 inches of yarn
1 Black Shoe Lace

Directions

1) Place the feather on the stick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) Wind the yarn around the bottom of the stick and feather.
3) Gently wind the yarn around the body of the feather four or five times.
4) Wrap the yarn around the top of the feather and make a knot at the top of the stick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)Tie the shoe lace to the stick below the feather.
6) String the beads and bells on the shoe lace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7) Tie a knot at the bottom of the ends of the lace.
8) Sing, dance and make beautiful music!

A Song

This is a song I teach children to sing and play with their Dancing Sticks:

THE EARTH IS OUR MOTHER
A Traditional Native American Song

The Earth is our Mother, we must take care of Her,
The Earth is our Mother, we must take care of Her.
Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan
Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan

Her sacred ground we walk upon with every step we take,
Her sacred ground we walk upon with every step we take.
Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan
Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan

The Earth is our Mother, She will take care of us,
The Earth is our Mother, She will take care of us.
Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan
Hey yanna, ho yanna, hey yan yan

(Originally published on http://www.kids.ct.gov/kids/cwp/view.asp?a=2571&Q=314082.)