Read about art, music and traditions
key notes :
What is Art?
- Art includes drawing, painting, sculpture, and other creative works.
- Artists use colors, shapes, and lines to express feelings and ideas.
What is Music?
- Music is created with sounds, rhythms, and melodies.
- It can be played using instruments like drums, guitars, and pianos.
- Songs can tell stories and express emotions.
What are Traditions?
- Traditions are customs and celebrations passed down through generations.
- They include festivals, dances, foods, and special activities.
- Different cultures have unique traditions that make them special.
Examples of Art, Music, and Traditions Around the World
- Art: Mexican folk art, African masks, Indian rangoli.
- Music: Chinese New Year drumming, Native American flute music, Spanish flamenco.
- Traditions: Thanksgiving in the USA, Diwali in India, Lunar New Year in China.
Why Are Art, Music, and Traditions Important?
- They help people express creativity and emotions.
- They bring communities together and create a sense of identity.
- They teach about different cultures and histories.
Ways to Explore Art, Music, and Traditions
- Visit museums and art galleries.
- Listen to different types of music.
- Participate in cultural festivals and celebrations.
Learn with an example
đŸ’¦Read the text about Yamayaki,
a Japanese tradition.
- The people of Nara, Japan, celebrate Yamayaki on the fourth Saturday in January. Yamayaki means ‘burning mountain’. To start the celebration, fireworks light up the sky. Then, Yamayaki monks, or holy men, put on special robes. The monks carry burning torches up Mount Wakakusa. The monks use the torches to set the mountain’s grassy sides on fire. Yamayaki is a tradition the town has been repeating for hundreds of years.
- The origin of the first Yamayaki celebration is not clear. Some say it started in 1760, when there was a fight over who owned the mountain. During the fight, the mountain was set on fire. Others believe that Yamayaki began as a way of scaring off insects and wild animals. No matter how it started, the yearly tradition of Yamayaki holds a special meaning for the people of Nara.
đŸ’¦Based on the text, what is one thing that happens on Yamayaki?
- monks tell stories from the past
- fireworks are set off
- people eat special foods
Look at the text in bold below. It tells you that fireworks are set off in celebration of Yamayaki.
The people of Nara, Japan, celebrate Yamayaki on the fourth Saturday in January. Yamayaki means ‘burning mountain’. To start the celebration, fireworks light up the sky. Then, Yamayaki monks, or holy men, put on special robes. The monks carry burning torches up Mount Wakakusa. The monks use the torches to set the mountain’s grassy sides on fire. Yamayaki is a tradition the town has been repeating for hundreds of years.
đŸ’¦Read the text about the Maypole dance.
- The Maypole dance is a special European folk dance that celebrates spring. It is held every year on 1 May, known as May Day, in places like Germany and England. It even takes place in some towns in the United States.
- The Maypole dance takes place around a tall pole or tree. Long, colorful ribbons are attached to the top of the pole. Several dancers gather around the pole. Each dancer holds the end of one ribbon. When the music begins, the dancers circle the pole. The dancers move in different directions. They move in, out, and around each other. As they dance, the ribbons make a colorful design around the pole. When the ribbons are all wrapped around the pole, the dancers go in the reverse direction to straighten the ribbons out again!
đŸ’¦ Based on the text, when is the Maypole dance usually held?
- any day in May
- the last day of May
- the first day of May
Look at the text in bold below. It tells you when the Maypole dance is held.
The Maypole dance is a special European folk dance that celebrates spring. It is held every year on 1 May, known as May Day, in places like Germany and England. It even takes place in some towns in the United States.
đŸ’¦Read the text about sand animation.
- Sand animation is a form of live sand art that is beautiful to watch. Sand artists start with a piece of glass that has light underneath it. Then, the artists spread sand onto the glass. The light under the glass lights up the sand. Sand artists form their art by drawing pictures in the sand using their fingers. They can make many different scenes filled with people, mountains, buildings or seas.
- Sand artists can rapidly create new designs. So, they tell stories with their art. Each picture lasts only a few moments. The artist wipes the scene away to create the next scene in the story. Most sand artists also play music and move in time to the beat as they make designs in the sand. So, people can watch and listen as sand artists work and create their stories.
đŸ’¦ Based on the text, what is sand animation?
- art made by finger painting light colours on top of dark colours
- art made by adding sand to paintings
- art made by moving sand around on a lighted table
Look at the text in bold below. It tells you what sand animation is.
Sand animation is a form of live sand art that is beautiful to watch. Sand artists start with a piece of glass that has light underneath it. Then, the artists spread sand onto the glass. The light under the glass lights up the sand. Sand artists form their art by drawing pictures in the sand using their fingers. They can make many different scenes filled with people, mountains, buildings or seas.
let’s practice!
Read the text about the Zadar Sea Organ.
Did you know that the sea can make music? To hear it, you can travel to a town called Zadar in the country of Croatia and listen to the Zadar Sea Organ. The seventy-metre-long Sea Organ looks just like large steps leading down to the water. But hidden under the steps are thirty-five pipes that make music. When the waves push air into the organ’s pipes, they play a tune. People say that the notes are like the singing sounds that whales make.
The organ was built to welcome tourists visiting the town by ship. Now, people from all over the world come to listen to the beautiful music made by the sea. The organ is ‘played’ by the waves, which are always changing. So, the music is never the same!
