Illustration by Madcow Designs (www.madcow-designs.com)
Almost every culture in the world has created some form of instrument that will either shake, rattle or roll. Ancient Egypt is no exception.
If you could travel back in time to the days of the pyramids and pharaohs you might see a special kind of hand-held rattle called a sistrum. Played mainly by women, it was moved from side to side and the bangles would rock back and forth creating a unique sound and a distinctive rhythm.
What exactly did a sistrum look like? We’ve created a coloring page based on many of the hieroglyphics and historical data that we’ve found. We’ve also come up with some fun ways that you can make your own sistrum at home. You can either start with a wire coat hanger or you can take a nature walk and look for a branch shaped like the letter “Y”. And your bangles? They can be jingle bells, pop-top tabs, metal washers or even buttons beads or seeds. Whatever you use, you’re sure to create an amazing sounding instrument that’s both old and new at the same time!
Download – A Sistrum Coloring Page
Download Instructions – How To Make a Recycled Sistrum (With a Clothes Hanger)
Download Instructions – How To Make a Natural Sistrum (With a Tree Branch)
Making Multicultural Music 