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English
Nok Bin (Clay Bird on a Line) — a Fired Clay Bird Bored at the Head, Palm-Leaf Wings and Tail Set in Scored Slots, on a Taut String from a 2-Foot Bamboo Rod Bent Like a Fishing Rod; Released, It Quivers Down Like a Bird in Flight
นกบิน (nok bin, flying bird) is a children's toy: a bird modelled in clay and fired hard, bored at the head and threaded on a fine string. It slides down from high to low, quivering like a bird in flight.
This blueprint makes a real nok bin to the sizes in the source.
Intermediate
About 2 hours, not counting drying or firing the clay
Instructions
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Real sizes
Real sizes
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Modelled clay birds, before it
Modelled clay birds, before it
The nok wit nam is a clay bird blown for sound; the nok bin is a clay bird that slides down a string.
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Read from the source
Read from the source
"Because the hole at the bird's head is small, the bird quivers on the taut string or line, so it looks like a bird in flight." (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author not named, CC BY 4.0)
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Bird
Bird
Model clay into a bird. Score deep slots with a knife where the wings and tail will go, and bore a hole at the head. Dry it in the sun; for strength, fire it.
Materials for this step:
Clay1 pieceTools needed:
Knife5
5
Wings and tail
Wings and tail
Make wings and a tail from toddy-palm, coconut or lan-palm leaf, paper or tin sheet, and push them into the scored slots.
Materials for this step:
Paper1 piece6
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Rod and string
Rod and string
Shave bamboo to a tapered tip, about 2 feet long. Thread a fine string or fishing line through the hole in the bird's head and tie the ends taut so the rod bows like a fishing rod.
Materials for this step:
Bamboo Poles1 piece
String1 piece7
7
Real images
Real images
Drawings of the nok bin (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author not named, CC BY 4.0)
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How to play
How to play
Hold the rod upright, draw the bird up to the tip and let it go; it slides down quivering like a bird in flight. Children race them from the rod tip; the bird that glides down slowest wins. It can be painted for decoration.
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Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting the nok bin.
Flow
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History and limits
History and limits
The nok bin is made from clay and leaves found all around. Take care with the knife when scoring.
Source: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Traditional Objects of Everyday Use database, "นกบิน", author not named (CC BY 4.0 licence).
**Limits** The source gives no bird size, string length or firing temperature. The illustrations are drawings.
Materials
4- 1 piecePlaceholder
- 1 piecePlaceholder
- 1 piecePlaceholder
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