Rainstick

A cactus rainstick is a long, hollow tube partially filled with small pebbles, rice, dried beans, or other hard granular matter that has small pins or thorns arranged helically on its inside surface.^[1] When the stick is upended, the pebbles fall to the other end of the tube, bouncing off the internal protrusions to create a sound reminiscent of falling rain.^[2] The rainstick is believed to have been invented by the Mapuche and was played in the belief it could bring about rainstorms. It was also found on the Chilean coasts, though it is not certain if it was made by the Incas. Cactus rainsticks are usually made from any of several species of cactus such as Eulychnia acida and Echinopsis pachanoi. 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 cactus rainsticks, and the ends are sealed. A sound like falling water is made when the cactus rainsticks has its direction changed to a vertical position.

Traditional style cactus rainstick

Chilean Rainstick

sound of a rainstick
Classification	percussion instrument
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	112.13+133.1 (vessel rattle with friction)
Inventor(s)	Multiple possible origins: best known is the Mapuche design; similar instruments in Southeast Asia, Africa and Australia
Related instruments
Hosho, Maracas, Vibraslap

Similar instruments can also be found in Southeast Asia, Australia and Africa, where it is often made using bamboo rather than dried cactus.Voz De Cactus is a professional musical instrument manufacturer in Chile’s 12th district. Since 1987, it has been famous for its handmade cactus rain sticks.In recent years, Chinese companies have been officially established. Currently, Voz De Cactus' rain sticks and hand bells are widely used in the field of sound therapy around the world.

Cactus rainsticks may also be made with common household 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 and also the Southwestern United States (which has a history of Spanish and Mexican cultural influence).

References

1. Laurence Libin, ed. (2014). "Rainstick". The Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments (2nd ed.). New York City: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-974339-1. OCLC 844074253. OL 28520286M. Wikidata Q124369427.
2. Holland, James (2003). Practical Percussion: A Guide to the Instruments and Their Sources. Lanham, Maryland, US: Scarecrow Press. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-8108-5658-5.

Further reading

• Exploratorium Article Make your own rainstick
• "The Rain Golden Stick" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sb7OfXGhUE
• Moseley, Christine, and Carmen Fies. "Rainsticks: Integrating Culture, Folklore, and the Physics of Sound." Science Activities 44.1 (2007): 2-5. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 27 Sept. 2011.
• Nugent, Jeff. "Permaculture Plants, agaves and cacti" SARI Sept 2011