Porotiti (Matariki Part 2)

Updated: see below

While we were processing the flax, I set the children an activity making Porotiti.

Source www.tepapa.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/Education/Matariki ENG 2013.pdf

“Hyperactive children were often given porotiti to play with during the time of Matariki, when they were required to be still and listen to their elders. The calming sound of the instrument enabled the children to be more receptive to learning.”

I remember having a plastic one of these at once upon a time, and I remember I could get some good whirling out of it.  The cardboard struggled to get the same amount of rotational momentum, so was more difficult to spin and the wasn’t as effective at making its whistle.  I think some more experimentation is needed. (Geek Girl surfacing).

Update:

We go much better performance by gluing two discs of corrugated cardboard together.

Now that’s how it’s supposed to “buzz”.