How to make a Bull Roarer
The following text is a reply by Simon Pockley - the text is republished here with his kind permission.

Not hard to make at all. You need some heavy wood. I'm not sure where you are so do not know what to recommend. In Australia they are made of mulga but I have made them of ironbark and even stringy bark. Light wood does not work.

Traditionally, they seem to have been all sorts of sizes but if you have a look at the screen:

http://www.acmi.net.au/FOD/FOD0820.html

 - you will see one 192 mm long by 30 mm wide. Just make the thickness convex down to the edges and drill a hole near the end. Get some string (2 metres or 6 feet should be enough). Tie the end so that there is a bit of a loop and whirl it around your head. It sometimes takes a few seconds to get the sound but you will know when it happens. I used to make them when I was young.

Regards Simon Pockley

For more help - try the links below.

Links about bull roarers - legends, making bull roarers or buying them:

The Legend of the First Bullroarer	Toys and Games - Canadian k12 page
Bull Roarer - FOX	Bull Roarer - Fact Monster Encyclopedia
The Colombia Encyclopedia - Bull Roarer	Bull Roarer - Dancing Stickmen - Musical instrument
Australian Aboriginal Ceremonial Bull Roarer	Make your own Bull Roarer
More about Bull Roarers	Some Rituals and Bull Roarers

 

Comments to: Niels Quist