The Incas were a tribe native to South America that started out very small, but grew to an empire of over 12 million people. They called themselves the "Children of the Sun." In 1531, the Incas were conquered by the Spanish, and since they did not have a system of writing, archeologists learn about the Incas by examining artifacts left behind. Working on craft projects to replicate their art is an excellent way to learn about the Incas, or teach children about this magnificent culture.
Instructions
Incan Headdress
1. Cover your workspace with an inexpensive plastic table cloth.
2. Blow up a balloon to be slightly larger than the head you are making the headdress for. Work with the rounded end of the balloon up, and the knotted side down.
3. Roll up a piece of newspaper into a thin tube. Wrap this tube gently around the center of the balloon and trim the edge so that it is about two to three inches longer than the circumference of the balloon. Insert one end into the hole of the other end of the tube.
4. Remove the tube ring from the balloon and tape it where the ends meet to secure it. Place it back on the balloon.
5. Cut strips of newspaper. Mix 1 cup of flour, one cup of water and 1/4 cup of white craft glue in a bowl to make a paper mache paste.
6. Run the strips of newspaper through the craft glue and apply them to the rounded end of the balloon to make a helmet cap. Wrap them over the bottom edge of the paper tube ring.
7. Finish with several layers of colorful tissue paper in the color of your choice. Continue layering tissue paper until the newspaper is covered and you can't see any words through the tissue.
8. Allow the paper mache to dry for two or three days. Pop the balloon and discard it.
9. Hot glue a row of craft feathers to the top dome of your headdress. Glue a strip of colored tissue paper around the base of the feathers to hide the tips.
Inca Masks
10. Get some plain, aluminum foil disposable pie plates with flat bottoms. Cut out the bottom of the pie plate into a mask shape, such as an oval.
11. Set the mask shape onto a piece of Styrofoam that is at least as large as your mask. Use a Sharpie marker to draw features and decorations on your mask shape.
12. Use a stylus, or the rounded edge of a paper clip, to trace over the images you drew. Push hard enough to create an indent in the foil, however do not push so hard that you rip through it.
13. Turn your mask over and you will see the pressed images are raised. Decorate your mask further with feathers or acrylic paints.
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