What in the World Website

What in the World? Fat Cat Children’s Festival ~ Critical Thinking Challenge Results A butter churn is a device used to convert cream into butter. This is done through a mechanical process, frequently via a pole inserted through the lid of the churn, or via a crank used to turn a rotating device inside the churn. This type of churn was a barrel turned onto its side with a crank attached. The crank either turned a paddle device inside the churn, as in the paddle churn, or turned the whole barrel, whose action converted the milk to butter. The barrel churn was one of the agricultural innovations of 18th century Europe. Butter Churn http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butter_churn The arghul is a cane folk clarinet found in the Nile region of Egypt. The arghul has one melody pipe (with 5 to 7 holes) and one drone pipe, which can vary greatly in size. The drone pipe on the arghul can be much longer than the melody pipe, and there are some instruments where the drone reaches over 2 metres, in length. Both reeds are totally enclosed in the mouth, and circular breathing is used to create a continuous flow of air. This can be quite difficult with larger instruments and requires an excellent set of lungs. This instrument is still made and played in Egypt today. Arghul http://www.asza.com/iarghul.shtml An oil lamp is a man-made object used to produce light continuously for a period of time, from an oil-based fuel source. The use of oil lamps began thousands of years ago and is continued to this day. Oil lamps are a form of lighting, and were used as an alternative to candles before the use of electric lights. Starting in 1780 the Argand lamp quickly replaced other oil lamps still in their basic ancient form. These were, in turn, replaced by the kerosene lamp in about 1850. In small towns and rural areas these continued in use well into the 20th century, until such Oil Lamp areas were finally electrified, and light bulbs could be used for lighting. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_lamp Children living in the impoverished regions of Africa create materials (i.e., a ball) to play games with, from found objects such as plastic and string. This is an example of a “kib-kib” (hackey-sack), which could also be used to play soccer or catch. Many Africa kids spend a lot more time working as part of their family and looking after siblings (especially girls) than there counterparts in North American, but there are some opportunities for play as well. “ http://www.ibike.org/library/africakids.htm Kib-Kib The water whistle or whistling water jar is an intriguing technological phenomenon within the complex conceptual structure of pre-Columbian ceramics which pertains to the development of both musical and ceramic art forms in the new world. This device has a long history of production. Starting as early as the formative periods in South America, we find examples of whistling jars in a wide range of cultures as far north as Mexico and as far south as southern Peru. Little is known of what role these jars played within the context of the ancient societies which produced them. Archaeologists have long acknowledged the presence of this eccentric ceramic invention, yet little in-depth research has been done to document their development or use. Many water whistles produced today are in the shape of birds (which chirp when blown into) and are marketed as novelties Water Whistle for children. The Enigma of Whistling Water Jars in Pre-Columbian Ceramics PDF by Brian Ransom The rainstick is believed to have been invented in Chile or Peru, and was played in the belief that it could bring about rainstorms. It is also said that the rainstick was introduced in Mexican music in the 1960s. Rainsticks are usually made from any of several species of cactus. The cacti, which are hollow, are dried in the sun. The spines are removed, then driven into the cactus like nails. Pebbles or other small objects are placed inside the rainstick, and the ends are sealed. A sound like falling water is made when the rainstick has its direction changed to a vertical position. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainstick Rainstick .

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