Indian Activities for Guides and Scouts
Traduction à suivre
There are many fun and exciting activities from India that you can do to celebrate Sangam with your Scouts and Guides. Here are a few suggestions but we always recommend finding someone in your community who has been to India or even to Sangam to invite them to share their experiences with you.
Almost everywhere you look here in India seems to be covered in bright colours. Embroidery, fabric, saris, and bright colour flourish in this exciting country. Perhaps you could find a book or website with pictures of Indian embroidery or rangoli (a chalk design placed at doorways to bring good luck and harmony) and the girls could either colour pictures, make chalk pictures or perhaps use embroidery floss or yarn to create the designs.
Rangoli is an old craft of the Hindus, mainly from South India. Each day new designs are made in front of the house as a symbol of welcome to the goddess Laxmi, who brings good luck and prosperity. Rangoli is often used to decorate around a plate or banana leaf when enjoying a meal seated in the traditional manner on the floor. Originally, the powder was made from rice husks and it was considered good luck if the crows came to take some.
Although very traditional people still use rice, white and coloured chalk powder is usually used today. The method of applying Rangoli takes some dexterity, but once mastered is fairly simple. The powder is rubbed between the thumb and the first finger whilst the hand is in motion, forming the design.
Mehendi is another ancient craft that was brought to India by the Moghuls. It is used as a decoration on the hands and arms as well as the feet. It is worn by women for certain festivals and weddings; men often wear Mehendi at weddings too. It is a very intricate craft and can take eight to ten hours for a bride to be suitably decorated.
Henna leaves are crushed, ground and dried to make a powder. This powder is then mixed into a smooth paste with water and a little limejuice and is then left to stand overnight. It is applied to the body either with a cone, similar to a cake decorating cone, or a thin stick. Fine delicate patterns are made, limited only by the artist’s imagination.
Follow this link to learn about India’s culture and cuisine.
Here are a few games for you to play Learn more
Songs from the largest film industry in the world - is available everywhere. Why not learn a few dance moves or watch a movie with your group.
Colour!
Almost everywhere you look here in India seems to be covered in bright colours. Embroidery, fabric, saris, and bright colour flourish in this exciting country. Perhaps you could find a book or website with pictures of Indian embroidery or rangoli (a chalk design placed at doorways to bring good luck and harmony) and the girls could either colour pictures, make chalk pictures or perhaps use embroidery floss or yarn to create the designs. Rangoli is an old craft of the Hindus, mainly from South India. Each day new designs are made in front of the house as a symbol of welcome to the goddess Laxmi, who brings good luck and prosperity. Rangoli is often used to decorate around a plate or banana leaf when enjoying a meal seated in the traditional manner on the floor. Originally, the powder was made from rice husks and it was considered good luck if the crows came to take some.
Although very traditional people still use rice, white and coloured chalk powder is usually used today. The method of applying Rangoli takes some dexterity, but once mastered is fairly simple. The powder is rubbed between the thumb and the first finger whilst the hand is in motion, forming the design.
Mehendi is another ancient craft that was brought to India by the Moghuls. It is used as a decoration on the hands and arms as well as the feet. It is worn by women for certain festivals and weddings; men often wear Mehendi at weddings too. It is a very intricate craft and can take eight to ten hours for a bride to be suitably decorated. Henna leaves are crushed, ground and dried to make a powder. This powder is then mixed into a smooth paste with water and a little limejuice and is then left to stand overnight. It is applied to the body either with a cone, similar to a cake decorating cone, or a thin stick. Fine delicate patterns are made, limited only by the artist’s imagination.
Indian food
Follow this link to learn about India’s culture and cuisine.
Indian games
Here are a few games for you to play Learn more
Indian crafts
Learn more on Indian CraftSongs
Sangam has an official song. Download the words and music:
Bollywood music
Songs from the largest film industry in the world - is available everywhere. Why not learn a few dance moves or watch a movie with your group.