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.

Benefits

• Students learn about Sri Lanka, its people, customs, and traditions.
• Students discover the importance of elephants in Sri Lankan history in the areas of warfare, field work, and transportation.
• Students produce a highly ornate picture of an elephant decorated to walk in a peraheras.

Adaptations

• 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.