What do Africa, Egypt, and Chile have in common? Amazing music! In this adventure, we use our imaginations to journey to each of these countries and learn how to make an instrument from each one. The first stop is Africa, where we explore the magnificent mbira, which is also called a thumb piano! After playing our mbira, we add to our instrument library by traveling back 3,000 years to ancient Egypt to learn how to make the systrum, a type of rattle! Then we shake and rattle our way to Chile to visit the Diaguita Indians and make an awesome rain stick! What are we waiting for? Let’s get this musical adventure started!
Rationale for Adventure
Every culture has its own unique instruments. In this adventure, Scouts will visit three different parts of the world and explore some of their musical sounds. They will get the chance to make their own versions of three instruments from those places and take them home to share with their family.
Requirements
Complete all of the following:
- Make an mbira.
- Make a sistrum.
- Make a rain stick.
Takeaways for Cub Scouts
- A basic understanding of world musical culture
- Cooperation and sharing while making instruments
- Creativity
- Deductive reasoning when it comes to sound
- Respect for other countries
Historical Requirements
2015 Handbook Requirements
Bear Handbook, page 278
Bear Den Leader Guide, page 183
- Make an mbira.
- Make a sistrum.
- Make a rain stick.
