Mikanakawa Native American Village - Circle Ten Council

Groaning StickNavaho Lightning Dancers whirled a thin piece of wood on a whip above their heads tomake the sound of great winds and distant thunder. This noisemaker was called a“groaning stick”. It sang with the voice of the thunderbird which, according to Navahomythology, slapped its wings to make thunder and blinked its eyes to make lightening.Sometimes the wood for the groaning stick came from trees that h ad actually been struckby lightening. The wood was decorated with symbols of the thunderbird, lightening, rainand clouds. In most areas, the groaning stick summoned rainstorms, but on the wetNorthwest Coast, it appealed for fair weather.Some Native American children adopted the noisemaker as a toy. But because of thestick’s special power, Hopi children were not allowed to play with it except in springwhen the wind it called forth could do no damage.Materials needed: Wooden fruit or vegetable crate orwood single Hammer Small saw Drill with 1/8” bit or large nail 3’ of heavy twine Scissors Poster paints and brushesDirections: Pry off one of the slats from theside of a wooden crate with ahammer. Saw the slat to make apiece of wood about 2” wide and6” long. Drill a hole in the center of thewood about 1” from the top (oneof the 2” sides); or hammer a largenail gently – be careful not to splitthe wood. When the hole is made,remove the nail. Thread one end of the heavy twinethrough the hole. Tie the twine tothe wood with several very tightknots. Hold the piece of wood at thepoint where the string is attached.With that arm stretched, pull thetwine across to the oppositeshoulder with the other hand. Thisis a good length, so cut the stringhere.