Elephant Procession
Did you ever see elephants wearing beautiful cloth, gold, silver, and brightly colored jewels? In Sri Lanka, hundreds of elephants parade for 10 nights during peraheras!
1. In Sri Lanka, several peraheras or Buddhist processions are held each year. Visitors from around the world take part in the festivities. The most important perahera is held in the city of Kandy to honor a sacred tooth relic of Buddha. Dozens of elephants are colorfully decorated to walk in the processions.
2. Find out more about this interesting Sri Lankan holiday, and about the country itself. Where is it located? What role do elephants play in the culture? What are other Sri Lankan traditions? Look for pictures of the ornately decorated elephants.
3. With Crayola® Colored Pencils, draw a large elephant. Cut it out with Crayola Scissors. Use your imagination and pictures of peraheras to ornately decorate your elephant with Crayola Washable and Fine Line Markers.
4. Add the look of jewels to your elephant’s regal attire with Crayola Glitter Glue. Air-dry your drawing flat.
5. Attach the elephant to another sheet of paper with Crayola Glue Sticks. If you wish, raise the elephant off the paper by gluing cardboard under its body. Decorate around the edges to frame your elephant.
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Glitter Glue—
WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years. Not for use on skin.
Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.
- Share a variety of elephant images with students who have special needs. Visit a zoo or wildlife reserve. View videos of elephant processions. Discuss ways they see elephants decorated before they create their drawings.
- Compare and contrast the features and habitats of African and Asian elephants. Draw pictures of each distinct species.
- Learn more about Buddha and Buddhist architecture. Create a replica of Buddha or a Sri Lankan building.
- Find out what other countries use elephants in ceremonies, such as India’s Republic Day held on January 26. What is happening to elephants in Thailand and African countries?
- Research information about wildlife sanctuaries in Sri Lanka to protect Asian elephants and other animals that are threatened with extinction.
Foods for Flying Mammals—Bats!
Proud to Be Pig
Snorkel Scene
