What are Devil Sticks ?

Devil sticks are juggling sticks. They are also called rhythm sticks.


How do devil sticks look ?
Devil sticks are made of three pieces – the baton or the center stick and two control sticks but is usually referred to as a pair of sticks. The baton or the middle stick is manipulated by the side sticks.

The center stick is usually not tapered. They may have tassels which resemble a flower when twirled. So they are also called ‘flower sticks’. It may also have weights at the end. However there are some devil sticks which have no weights and are tapered.


With new materials and techniques available, jugglers in these times have invented modern sticks have soft ends which ensure safety and better techniques in play. These are more durable and help jugglers to perform invincible feats.


What are devil sticks used for ?
Devil sticks are used for juggling, a kind of manipulation which is one of the popular items in circus. This juggling is called devil sticking, twirling or stick juggling. There are also sticks, the ends of which can be lit on fire which is known as ‘fire spinning’.

 


Enter your e-mail address below to subscribe to GenuineAnswer's FREE newsletter:



History of devil sticks
The art of devil sticking is believed to have originated in Africa as early as 3000 BC. The paintings of devil sticks on friezes in African tombs bear ample proof of this. Historians suppose that the devil sticks may have followed the Silk route (the ancient trading route) through South Asia from Cairo and entered China. It may have been reinvented in China because it has been seen that the Chinese have been using juggling sticks around 2000 BC. The traveler Marco Polo is credited for having introduced it to Europe where it has been popular ever since.

Tricks using devil sticks
There are an infinite number of tricks and feats that a juggler can perform with devil sticks. The center stick is lifted or struck alternatively by the two control sticks or side sticks called the pendulum move. The center stick can be rotated like the helicopter spin. Expert jugglers can twirl the stick using one stick, one knee or one arm. Some do this juggling while tight rope balancing or cycling.

 

Group activities with devil sticks
Although juggling with devil sticks is a solo activity, there are group activities that can be done like passing which is slinging sticks back and forth or jolley sticks which is volleyball using devil sticks.

How to learn to use devil sticks ?
There are centers which offer juggling classes where one can pick up the nuances of devil sticking. You may also find groups which may enjoy devil sticking. Books and interactive DVD’s too might help you understand and practice the basics of devil sticks. Abundant materials in the form of tutorials and demonstrations are available online for those interested in the art of devil sticking.
 

health and Wellness Money and Finance Babies and Kids Software and Hardware Internet Technology and Gadgets Pets and Animals Fruits, Food and Drinks Sports and Leisure Ailments and Medicine Miscellaneous

Article Contributed By: Sabina Zacharias
 

Did you like what you read here ? Would you like to be updated about similar stuff in the same format once a fortnight? Just sign up for our Free Newsletter, and we will send you articles twice a month about another Interesting Question - one sure to have crossed your mind sometime.
   
GenuineAnswers.com has the Highest Quality standard. Each Article is well researched by experienced writers who work from across the globe contributing to our pool of Answers and taking us close to our Goal of providing Clear and Genuine responses to questions that we hear now and then and cross our minds from time to time. You can expect Crisp & Clear newsletters of the highest quality and ones that would be an interesting read twice a month.
   
IMPORTANT - Please Note that, unlike many other email newsletters, subscribing to the GenuineAnswers.com newsletter will NOT result in you receiving any Spam. We have put measures in place to ensure this, and so we can Guarantee it! Sign up for the free newsletter by entering your email address below.

  

Sign Up for the FREE Genuine Answers Newsletter. Guaranteed NO Spam  !! 

Other Categories: Health-Wellness    Software-Hardware   Fruits-Food-Drinks   Money-Finance   Internet-Technology-Gadgets 
    Sports-Leisure    Babies-Kids    Pets-Animals    Ailments-Medicine   Miscellaneous

Similar Websites:

©2006 KWebMarketing