Ngu Mai Rakam (Rakam-Palm Jointed Snake) — a Tapered Rakam Stalk Split in Two over an Unbleached-Cotton Core, a Raised Head of Crate Wood, Kite Paper Skin Painted and Scored into Segments; Waggle the Tail and It Slithers

"Score the snake's body into segments with a knife so it moves like a slithering snake." (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author not named, CC BY 4.0)

Cut rakam stalk to the length you want, shave it into a snake that tapers at the tail, and split it into 2 equal halves along its whole length. Cut unbleached cotton as tall as the body and as long as the snake, glue both faces, and press the two rakam halves onto it, one each side, leaving the cloth edge standing a little above the wood along the top. Let it dry; the cloth becomes the body's core.

Shave crate wood or plywood into a snake's head raised off the ground, sized to fit the body, and glue it on.

Glue kite paper round the head and body so it lies flat against the wood all along, and let it dry. Paint snake markings on the paper, then score the body into segments with a knife.

Photos of a real ngu mai rakam (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author not named, CC BY 4.0)

Hold the snake's tail and waggle it left and right; the body slithers like a real snake. Older children who understand snakes use it to tease each other; small children should not play with it, because if they meet a real snake they may try to pick it up. It is also hung in fruit trees to keep birds from pecking the fruit, or under the eaves to keep sparrows from nesting.

Rakam toys were made as animals common in the past, such as snakes, squirrels and crocodiles. Small children should not play with it, as they may then handle a real snake. Take care with the knife and saw. Source: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Traditional Objects of Everyday Use database, "งูไม้ระกำ", author not named (CC BY 4.0 licence). **Limits** The source gives no snake length or segment spacing. There are no product lines for rakam stalk, plywood or general paint.