CRAFT TIME!

In South East Asia, masks are a part of our traditional arts. They're like cool costumes, but even more special! People make these masks colourful, with lots of detailed patterns and put faces of heroes, monsters, and creatures on them.

These masks are not just for fun – they're used in plays, dances, and ceremonies. Masks can show all sorts of expressions, from frightening or angry to joyful or funny. In countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, masks are used in ceremonies, rituals, dance and even to tell stories and legends. These stories are like magical adventures from the past, and the masks help keep these stories alive.

So, masks in South East Asia are not just for looking pretty (or scary) – they're like magical storytellers!

Create your own tiger mask inspired by the Adventures in the Symphony of Colours

Materials you'll need:

Paper or cardboard
Paints, markers or coloured pencils
Paintbrushes and water (if you’re using paints)
Glue or tape
Scissors (be careful when using them!)
Decorative items that you can find around you like feathers, leaves, twigs, or beads (masks in South East Asia are usually made of natural materials found in the surrounding environment)
String or an elastic band

Instructions:

STEP 1 – Draw and cut out your mask base
Draw out the mask shape provided onto a piece of cardboard or paper

STEP 2 – Design your mask
Take some time to recall the story and music. Which part was most interesting to you? What did you imagine as you looked at the pictures, read the story and listened to the music? What colour did you think of when you listened to the story and music? Think about what kind of character or tiger you want your mask to be. You can draw a design on paper first to plan how it will look.

STEP 3 – Paint and decorate
Use paints, markers, or coloured pencils to add colour and details to your mask. Be as creative as you like! You can also glue on feathers, leaves, twigs or other things you can find to make it more interesting.

STEP 4 – Let it dry
If you've used paint or glue, let your mask dry completely before moving on.

STEP 5 – Cut out eye holes
Carefully use scissors to cut out eye holes. Make sure they're in the right place so you can see when you wear your mask.

STEP 6 – Attach a string or elastic band
If you want to wear your mask, attach a string or elastic band to the sides. Make sure it's secure and not too tight.

STEP 7 – Add finishing touches
Look at your mask and see if there are any final details you'd like to add. It could be a big smile, more colours, or any other decorations.

STEP 8 – Have fun
Once your mask is complete, put it on and dance to the music in this book!

Remember, making a mask is all about using your imagination, so there are no rules. Be as creative as you like and enjoy the process of making your unique tiger mask!

And what better way to make your mask dance come alive than to create your own music

Music is like magic that makes stories more exciting. It helps create the feelings and moods of the story, like happiness or adventure. Imagine if a superhero had their own special music, and a funny character had playful music. The music also makes the scary parts scarier and the happy parts happier! Just like masks, people in South East Asia use music for special ceremonies and important events to tell stories about their culture and history.

Materials you'll need:

Empty plastic bottle (like a water bottle or soda bottle)
A handful of dried beans, rice, or small pebbles
Strong tape or glue
Paints, markers, or stickers for decoration (optional)
A piece of paper
Crayons or markers (if you're decorating)

Instructions:

STEP 1 – Gather your materials
Collect an empty plastic bottle and the small objects you'll use to make sounds. You can use dried beans, rice, or small pebbles. Make sure you have strong tape or glue to secure everything.

STEP 2 – Decorate the bottle (optional)
If you want, you can decorate the outside of the bottle using paints, markers, or stickers. You can make your instrument colourful and unique.

STEP 3 – Add the filling
Take your dried beans, rice, or small pebbles and carefully pour them into the empty bottle. Start with a small amount and add more as needed. You want to create a sound when you shake the bottle, but not overfill it

STEP 4 – Secure the lid
Once you're satisfied with the sound, firmly attach the bottle's cap or lid. Make sure it's sealed tightly so that the filling doesn't spill out.

STEP 5 – Test your instrument
Shake the bottle gently and listen to the sound it makes. If you like the sound, you're done! If not, you can add or remove some of the filling to adjust the sound to your liking.

STEP 6 – Play your instrument
Now that your homemade instrument is ready, you can shake it gently to make music. Experiment with different rhythms and patterns by shaking it in various ways.

STEP 7 – Have a mini concert
Gather your family or friends and put on a little show with your tiger mask and musical instrument. See who can come up with the most creative and entertaining dance!

Remember, just like making the tiger mask, be as creative and imaginative as you want. Have fun!