The Rain Stick

Rain Sticks, or Palos de Lluvia, come from Northern Chile, near La Serena. They are made from the Normata Cactus, indeginious to the Elqui Valley, a dessert like strip which lies between the Pacific Ocean, and the Andes Mountains.

Native Artesanos must first find suitable dead cactuses. They cut the branches, dry them, and hollow them out. The thorns are stripped off, and one by one, pressed back into, and across the hollow shaft. They next cap one end, pour small pebbles in, and cap the other. When Rain Sticks are turned, the pebbles fall against the thorns inside the shaft, creating the rain like effect.

The origin of El Palo de Agua remains a mystery. Chilean legend has it the Diaguita Indians used Rain Sticks during their ceremonies to call on the spirits of rain. Today, The Rain Stick is used mainly as a musical instrument, normally included with the typical Andean Group.

Back