Make Your Very Own Nepalese Drum on a Stick

By Linda Meyers

October 3, 2019

Last Updated: September 1, 2012

Once a week we feature a fun and/or educational activity you can try at home or in the classroom. Heifer CEO Pierre Ferrari recently visited Nepal and shared some of his adventures on the Heifer blog. Today we will share an activity to bring a little bit of Nepal to your home.

Damaru, a Nepalese Drum on a Stick

Materials:

  • Small recycled container with lid (i.e. a margarine tub)
  • Yarn (at least 3 times as long as the depth of the drum)
  • Fairly large bead
  • Dowel stick, twig from a tree, or recycled wooden spoon
  • Glue
  • Markers

Take the margarine tub and remove the lid. Poke a small hole in the center of the lid and also in the center of the bottom of the container. Cut the yarn to a length about 3 times as long as the depth of your container and push the yarn through the holes. Tie a knot with the yarn end on the bottom of the drum. Tie a fairly large bead to the end of the yarn dangling from the lid. (Make sure the string isn't too long, or it will get tangled. To play your drum, the bead will hit the container when it is twisted.) Cut a hole on both sides of the drum, directly across from each other. Push the stick (or wooden spoon) through the holes and wrap yarn around the outside where the stick enters and exits the drum. Glue the yarn in place, and glue the lid to the drum. Air dry. Decorate your drum with the markers.

Find out more activities related to this drum at crayola.com. You can also research online and find out with what materials the Damaru is traditionally made, and when and how it is played.

For educational activities relating to Heifer International and our work, go to www.heifer.org. To read about our CEO's recent trip to Nepal, check out his blog post and/or view this video.