Cumbria North India Challenge

Pack

Thank you for taking part in our challenge pack, all the money raised is going

towards our county trip to India in August 2018. A badge order form can be found at

the back of the pack.

Instructions:This pack is suitable for all sections each activity is labelled with the section it is aimed at. However, please feel free to use any activity for any section and tailor it to your girls. Any other challenges that you come across that connect with India can also count toward the badge.In order to earn a badge Rainbows should complete … 4 Brownies should complete … 5

Guides should complete … 6 Senior Section should complete …6/7 activities from the pack.

Have Fun!

Elephants of India:Introduction:

Elephants in India are respected for their good memory and intelligence. They symbolise wisdom and royal power, not only for India but many other parts of Asia. ‘Ganesha’ is the God of New Beginnings he has the head of an elephant and is one of the most worshipped and best known gods in the Hindu religion. He is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom. In India elephants are also trained for warfare, circuses and work as they are very strong and capable creatures. Sadly the elephant population is declining rapidly due to habitat loss, but many programmes have been put in place to protect them.

Paper Masks – ( Recommended for Rainbows and Brownies)

Materials:

Large paper plate Grey paint or pens Card (Grey, if possible) Coloured paper Decorations (glitter, gems, fabric, etc.) Glue Scissors Thin elastic or string

Method:

1. Using the back of the paper plate cut out 2 slots for eye holes.2. From the card cut a trunk and two ears (Indian elephants have smaller ears

than normal elephants).3. Glue the ears to opposite sides of the face and the trunk to the middle.4. Use paint or pens to colour the elephant grey and wait for this to dry.5. Cut out a triangle of coloured paper for the head-dress and glue it to the

plate so the point sits between the eyes. 6. Decorate the coloured paper with decorations.7. Make a small hole in either side of the face, then tie the thin elastic or string

so that it will hold onto your head.

Elephant Milk Bottle – (Recommended for Brownies Guides and Senior section)

Materials for 1 elephant:

Empty, clean milk bottle (recommended 4 pint bottle size) Scissors Tissue paper (whatever colour you want your elephant) PVA glue White card Felt tip pens Decorations (glitter, gems, googly eyes, etc.)

Method:1. Stand the milk bottle up and cut into it just below the handle, this forms the

elephant’s trunk. Cut off the entire bottom half of the bottle and cut four legs into it, as well as a little tail. 

2. Begin to glue the tissue paper onto the elephant using the PVA glue and leave to dry.

3. Once dry, use the white card cut out a set of ears (remember Indian elephants have small ears) and add eyes.

4. Then decorate your elephant with a head dress or anything else you would like.

Paisley Patterns Paisley patterns are claimed to have originated in Persia – where they date back to 1700 BCE. Traditionally, paisley patterns were made by weaving the traditional fabric that is called termeh.

The symbol – which is similar to a teardrop – was traditionally called Buteh, which is a visual combination of floral elements and a Cyprus tree. But in present times, they are called Buta. Also, they are still the national symbol in Azerbaijan.

Activities Rainbows

For Rainbows, there is a paisley pattern template enclosed, which they can use to colour and decorate it how they want (different patterns are available online).

Brownies

For Brownies, using the first set of instructions, draw a paisley pattern, which each person can decorate in any way.

Guides / Senior Section

For Guides using the second set of instructions, they can turn them into paisley flowers which they can decorate.

Instructions – Paisley PatternDraw a comma-like shape. It is drawn on its side here, but its orientation is up to you. You can make it longer or shorter, fatter or thinner depending on your preference.

Draw a smaller version of the shape within the original shape.

Draw a scalloped border on the outside of both the inner and outer shapes. This is an easy way to instantly make the design look more intricate.

Fill in some of the negative space between the inner and outer shape. Dots are a simple and easy shape to use here, and easy to view for demonstrating purposes.

Fill in the negative space on the inner shape. Once again, dots are a nice pick here if you're just starting out, but you could fill it in with a more involved design or another shape.

If you feel like the design needs a little something more, like a scalloped border around the inner dots, go ahead and add them. You can make the design as simple or complex as you like.

Instructions – Paisley Flower

Draw a comma-like shape. It is drawn on its side here, but its orientation is up to you. You can make it longer or shorter, fatter or thinner depending on your preference.

Draw a smaller version of the shape within the original shape.

Draw a scalloped border on the outside of both the inner and outer shapes. This is an easy way to instantly make the design look more intricate.

Fill in some of the negative space between the inner and outer shape. Dots are a simple and easy shape to use here, and easy to view for demonstrating purposes.

Fill in the negative space on the inner shape. Once again, dots are a nice pick here if you're just starting out, but you could fill it in with a more involved design or another shape.

If you feel like the design needs a little something more, like a scalloped border around the inner dots, go ahead and add them. You can make the design as simple or complex as you like.

Draw the bottom half of a comma shape on the round part of the paisley pattern – which they can then design like a leaf.

Traditional Indian Dress The sari is the main article of clothing worn by most women in India and normally worn for special occasions. It is a long piece of silk, cotton or synthetic cloth that is wrapped around the body. Sari is usually 5 to 7 yards long, and the end can be used to cover the head or left hanging. Saris tend to come in bright colours and are often embroidered. They are wrapped differently around the body according to the region.

Activity - Sari tying and colouring Sari

Rainbows and Brownies

Design your own sari dress (a template is available below if you wish to use it)

Brownies, Guides and senior section

If you are unable to get hold of real saris then you can improvise using long pieces of material.

- Follow the instructions below or watch the youtube tutorial to learn how to put on a Sari

- Challenge: You could have a fashion walk at the end to show off your new dresses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJs-nDcV2f0

A petticoat is a waist-to-floor garment tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring. The petticoat colour should match the base sari colour as closely as possible. No part of the petticoat, of course, is visible outside the Sari, after having worn it.

A blouse which needs to be tight-fitting and whose colour needs to be chosen keeping the look of the sari in mind can be short sleeved or sleeveless, with a variety of necklines. The blouse ends just below the bust.

How to Put on a Sari

1. Make a knot on the top corner of the plain end of the sari and tuck the knot into the left side of the petticoat. Make sure the embroideries on the sari are facing out.

2. Make a complete turn from the right to left. The lower end of the sari should be slightly above the floor.

3. Tuck in the fabric around the waist into the petticoat neatly

Making the Pleats

1. With the extra fabric hanging from the tucked area, hold the sari tightly at one side with your thumbs and pinky finger.

2. Stretch the fabric until you can hold it in between your index and middle fingers which will be about 4 inches wide.

3. Pleat the fabric by winding the cloth from your thumb to your index finger. Make about 6 to 8 pleats.

4. Tuck the pleats into the petticoat while making sure the pleated sides fall right below your navel.

5. Hold the pleats of fabric up and adjust them until they are even and straight.

Put it on

1. Take the extra sari and make another complete round from right to left.

2. Get hold of the decorative end of the sari (pallu) and pleat the top edges of the pallu.

3. Adjust the pleats until they are even and raise the pleated pallu. Bring it under your right arm and place it over your left shoulder.

4. Let the end of the sari fall below your knees.

5. You can even unfold the pleats and drape the pallu over the shoulder if you want the pallu to fall elegantly over your arm.

6. Secure the pallu with a safety pin from the inside of the blouse and then you are as beautiful as a star!

Writing in Hindi

In India the most common language that they write in is Hindu, so for this part of the badge it will be split into different sections for rainbows, brownies, guides and senior section and will increase in difficulty for each group.

Rainbows:

Each of the girls will have to make a name badge in Hindi (their first name), copying off the sheets of Hindi letters, and can add pictures of this they like and are interested in the background.

Brownies:

The girls will have to make a poster with their full names in Hindi with either pictures or words in Hindi which they think describe them as a person using the sheets provided to help.

Guides:

The guides will each have to write a sentence about themselves in Hindi and will have to share with the rest of the girls seeing if the girls can work out the sentences which they have all written about themselves.

Senior section:

Each member of the senior section will have to write a short paragraph either describing themselves or someone else either in the group the will the present there ideas to the group seeing if they are able to put the paragraphs back into English.

Hindi writing

Mehndi (Henna)Mehndi is a form of body art that has been used in India and other countries for over 5000 years. Traditionally a paste is made from the leaves of the henna plant which is then used to create intricate designs on the body, most commonly the hands and feet. Henna is an integral part of wedding ceremonies of many religions and is also used for other special occasions such as birthdays.Instructions on how to create henna over the body effectively and easily:

The Henna ProductFor the actual henna product, you can buy packs of henna tubes online, however be careful to make sure the product is real and comes from a secure site with good reviews.

Before using the henna to create your design, make sure to test the product on your skin or anyone else you’re using it on, by placing a small dot on the skin. Make sure the product is dry; and if your skin does not become red or irritated, then the product is safe to use.

The tubeWith your henna tube cut a small bit off the end of the tip, if you cut off too much your design won’t come out as you wished and the product will get everywhere!

When using the tube hold the tube by the top, so an equal amount of product will come out of the end of the tube. Also make sure you have a design or a simple idea in your head, before applying the henna to the skin as it will stain; and be careful of clothing and fabrics as it will most likely stain them as well.

Design

There are many designs on the internet to give you inspiration. Find a design you would like to copy and copy the image onto the

skin by using the henna; it is as easy as that!

Yoga

Yoga is a group of physical, mental and spiritual practices which originated in ancient India. Yoga is seen a way to enlightenment in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism and is a central part of Indian culture and tradition.

1. Find out what Yoga is in Hindi and decorate on a bit of paper in different colours.

2. Do 5 different yoga poses. 3. Do some meditation for 5 minutes and discuss how the

girls feel before and after meditation. 4. Get into partners and make up 4 different positions to

then show to the rest of the group.5. Do the alphabet (in groups of 6) in different moves; you

could also try to spell out different words using your bodies.

If you choose you could do yoga class for your meeting. There are many videos on YouTube showing yoga sequences that you can try or alternatively you could get someone in to do a yoga class with your girls. A classic sequence called the sun salutation is a good starting

point:

Garlands and the importance to Indian CultureGarlands are very significant in Indian culture and are used in weddings and festivals. Flower garlands - In Indian culture, flower garlands are used as a symbol of respect and are used in the temples to adorn the statues. Although any flower can be used for worshipping any God, it is often believed that each God has His or Her own favorite flower and using them will bestow favor more easily. Flowers and flower garlands are an important part of puja (worship) – both at the home and in temples. You are unlikely to find an image of a God at any altar to be without flowers. In fact the word puja is derived from the Dravidian word pu meaning flowers.

Weddings - Varmala is a tradition from ancient times where a beautiful garland of flowers symbolizes a proposal of marriage. A girl would choose her life partner from a group of suitors by placing a flower garland around the neck of her chosen man. Once the girl had made her choice, a marriage ceremony would be held right away.

The tradition of garlanding is one of the many rites in an Indian wedding. The bride and groom place garlands on each other to share their spiritual energy with each other. This exchange is said to mean the couple will uphold one another as gods in their heart and respect each other.

Garja - The gajra is an Indian tradition, made from or containing jasmines as they are regarded as the most beautiful and fragrant of India’s native flowers and are worn in women’s hair.  This represents auspiciousness and prosperity.

Activities Research Indian garlands and see if you can find out about some other types of garlands they have and what they signify.

Garland instructions (suitable for Brownies, Guides and Senior section)

You will need:

A large sewing needle Thread – crochet cotton

is best Coloured tissue paper Scissors A round tin or cup about

5cm diameter Pencil

1) Cut out paper circles (don’t waste paper). Cut out as many as possible per group as you’ll need lots of different colours to make the Garland.

2) Hold each circle of paper in the centre and pinch it out a little and twist once.

3) Thread you needle with a piece of thread long enough to hang around your neck.

4) Tie a big knot about 10cm from the end.5) Thread the paper twists onto the needle. Be careful as

you push them down the thread.6) Arrange the twists to look pretty.7) When you have threaded all the twists of paper, or

when you have nearly filled the thread, take the needle off the thread.

8) Tie the two ends of thread together and try your garland on!

If you are making a number of garlands, make sure they don’t get tangled up as it’s almost impossible to separate them.

Indian Games Have a go playing some Indian games:

Balloon Volleyball or Bulbul Volleyball (all sections) Players sit in two lines facing each other, legs outstretched and with feet touching the player sitting opposite her.

The leader throws the balloon between the two rows of players and each side must try to hit it over the heads of the opposite line whilst trying to keep it from going behind their own line - and players must keep their behinds on the floor at all times! Teams score one point each time the balloon lands behind the opposing line.

After each point, or if the balloon goes out of either end, the leader throws the balloon in again.

Bulbul is the name of an Indian bird and also the name for Indian Brownies.

Architect and Builder (Brownies, Guides, Senior Section)

You will need to cut out different shapes of different colours, at least 6 of each shape/colour. (matchsticks, toothpicks or straws can also be used)

The girls work in pairs and select 10 identical shapes/colours each. One person is the ‘Architect’ and the other the ‘Builder’.

The girls sit back to back on the floor with the ‘Architect’ making a pattern with her shapes.

The ‘Architect’ then has to tell the ‘Builder’ where to place her shapes in an identical way – each girl SHOULD end up with the same pattern in the same colouring.

Buddhi Mante (Brownies, Guides, Senior section)

One person is the ‘listener’ and sits in the middle of the room.

The remaining players are divided into two groups, one at each end of the room. Each group has a captain.

The captain of one group sends a player to whisper the name of a person in the other team to the ‘listener’.

Then the captain of the other team sends a player to whisper the name of one of the first team.

If the player who comes out is the one named by the first team they must ‘die’.

The ‘death’ of a player revives one of the opposite team who has already ‘died’.

The game ends when all one side are ‘dead’.

Fire on the Mountain (all sections) The players form two circles, one inside the other. The inner circle sits and the outer circle stands. One child in the middle calls out, ‘There’s a fire on the mountain, run, run, run!’

All the players in the outer circle begin to run in a clockwise direction until the one in the middle calls out, ‘Fire is out.’

The caller will then rush to stand behind someone in the inner circle, and all those in the outer circle do the same. The player without a partner goes into the middle. After a while, inner and outer circles change places.

Indian Dancing Aimed at: Time:

Brownies 30 minutes to a whole evening

Guides Senior Section

Introduction:

India is a land of diversities. Like all other aspects of life, the dance forms of India are also varied and different. There are many types of dance forms in India, from those which are deeply religious in content to those which are performed on small occasions.

Bollywood dance is easy on the eye. Dramatic facial expressions and cinematic pizzazz means any viewer, dance aficionado or not, can follow the story. But beneath the fizz is a series of historic symbols and traditions, which originate in India's numerous traditional dance forms.

Classical dance forms such as  Bharatnatyam and Kathak , and folk dances such as Bhangra, each have their own unique styles, but they often share signs and meanings that are combined to create modern Bollywood dances.

Equipment/Additional materials

Why not see if there is a local Bollywood dance teacher who could come along to an evening?

Internet access to play the YouTube Bollywood Dance guide (or you download it at home and bring to the meeting)

Something to play the video on e.g. projector and laptop or TV Traditional Indian music A selection of Saris (if possible)

Method:

Listen to your teacher’s instructions and ask them questions about traditional Indian customs and cultures.

If you are doing-it–yourself:

There are many different videos on YouTube, which have step-by-step guides on Bollywood dancing

Why not try out this video, which explains six basic steps any beginner can easily pick up: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVhfaPpxDkw (type in

‘How to Learn Bollywood/Bhangra Dance’ and it will be the first result on YouTube)

For Guides and Senior Section, why not create your own Bollywood dance and perform it back to the rest of the unit.

Taking it Further:

Hold a performance at the end of the evening and show parents and visitors what you have learnt.

Diwali Festival of LightsIntroduction Diwali is a Hindu festival held in October to November. This is where people of India join the streets and celebrate the beginning of a financial new year. This festival is linked to the goddess Lakshmi and lord Ganesha to welcome wealth and intelligence.

ActivityMake your own Diwali festival light. This activity should take 25-35 minutes.

Aimed at:

Guides Senior section

What you will need:

A used tin can (e.g. a used can of beans) A small nail Small hammer Tea light Option of decorations

What to do Make sure all wrappers are removed from the tin can. You will not need the lid of the can.

Place your tin can on the table and get your nail against the can and hit the nail into the can. This should create a hole. You want to create your own pattern with the holes in the can. Be careful your guides don’t cut themselves on the top of the tin can.

When your group are done light a tea light and place in the tin can. You should be able to see your pattern with the light shining through the holes. Your group could add decorations to their tins that won’t burn.

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Please make all cheques payable to: Girl Guiding Cumbria North TSS and post your form

and payment to: Alice Rea, Holm Hill, Beckermet, Cumbria, CA21 2XN.the Profits from badge sales will go towards the Cumbria North

trip to India in August 2018

Badge available until July 2018