Bamboo Handicrafts

The Chinese people have used bamboo throughout most of their history. The ancient Chinese were noted for their ability to use bamboo in their daily lives, to provide food and clothing, to make tools and weapons, and to use in such fields as writing, painting and carving. A handicraft industry has since grown out of bamboo groves.

Taiwan's booming industrialization and lifestyle changes have resulted in a distance between the people and bamboo. In order to counter this effect and to remind people of the versatility of this plant, an exhibition of bamboo handicrafts was held recently in Chuch'i village, Chiayi County.

Su Shih, a renowned Sung Dynasty man of letters, once said, "I would rather eat no meat than live without bamboo. Being without meat will make me thin, but being without bamboo will make me vulgar." From this saying, it can be seen that the Chinese feel bamboo can lift their spirits and enhance their daily life.

Though bamboo grows all over China, it is found in particularly large amounts in the central Taiwan counties of Nantou, Yunlin, and Chiayi. Thus it was only natural that one of these counties would be chosen for the exhibition of bamboo handicrafts.

Upon entering the Chuch'i Elementary School where the exhibition was held, one was struck immediately by the many different bamboo creations.

The exhibits were divided into two categories: mobile and stationary. The mobile category included a bamboo swing, bamboo tubes stuffed with rice, and woven articles. The triangular shaped, five story tall bamboo swing was made with over-ten-year-old bamboo thorns for the frame. Most swing handles are made with rope or chain, but the handles of this swing are made of bamboo cane, therefore extra force must be exerted to make the swing go.

The stationary exhibits were organized around potted plants. These were gathered from National Taiwan University's experimental forest and Hui Sun forest. Among these were a long Phyllostachys edulis, square bamboo, and expensive varieties such as Phyllostachys makanoi; after viewing these it was easy to believe that Taiwan grows over fifty species of bamboo.

Exhibits were arranged in different classrooms of the school. The Cheng-te exhibition room contained all sorts of household items and furnishings such as bamboo pillows, beds, and ovens.

Since the trunks and branches of bamboo are hollow it is ideal for stuffing with rice. Select one section of bamboo, fill it two-thirds full of rice and water, then cover the opening with a banana leaf. Cook till bamboo tube is tender and has turned dark--the rice is now ready to be eaten.

China is also well known for its tea; green bamboo tea is an intermingling of two of Taiwan's special products. In order to make green bamboo tea, the bark of the bamboo tree is pressed into juice and then boiled together with bamboo shoots.

Exhibition Room #2 had different musical instruments made of bamboo--such as drums, swords, and two-stringed violins.

The modern bamboo ware exhibition consisted of products from the Jade Mountain forest area, and the Chungpu, Bamboo Mountain, and Kuanmiao areas; and furniture such as tables and chairs of a modern style were exhibited there. Another exhibition room featured woven bamboo items such as baskets and hats.

This three-day exhibition was enthusiastically attended by over 40,000 people, who were reminded that bamboo is indeed an important part of the Chinese cultural environment.

[Picture Caption]

1. The tall bamboo swing attracts many playground game lovers. 2. Potted plants give viewers new knowledge. 3. Pictured here are, first from the left, gourd bamboo and second, golden line bamboo.

1. A bamboo dustbin. 2. Bamboo ladles. 3. A bamboo plate. 4. An umbrella with bamboo supports. 5.6.7. Bamboo cups, container, and musical instrument.

1.2.4.5. Exquisitely executed bamboo cover, basket, hat, and prawn. 3. Bamboo paper made using ancient Chinese methods. 6. This bamboo lamp filters light right. 7. Weaving in progress. 8. Kids playing with dart throwers. 9. All-weather bamboo hat. 10. A fence that keeps intruders out.

1.2. Chinese bamboo cane dancing. 3. Bamboo roof provides shelter.

2. Potted plants give viewers new knowledge.

3. Pictured here are, first from the left, gourd bamboo and second, golden line bamboo.

1. A bamboo dustbin.

2. Bamboo ladles.

3. A bamboo plate.

4. An umbrella with bamboo supports.

5.6.7. Bamboo cups, container, and musical instrument.

5.6.7. Bamboo cups, container, and musical instrument.

5.6.7. Bamboo cups, container, and musical instrument.

1.2.4.5. Exquisitely executed bamboo cover, basket, hat, and prawn.

1.2.4.5. Exquisitely executed bamboo cover, basket, hat, and prawn.

3. Bamboo paper made using ancient Chinese methods.

1.2.4.5. Exquisitely executed bamboo cover, basket, hat, and prawn.

1.2.4.5. Exquisitely executed bamboo cover, basket, hat, and prawn.

6. This bamboo lamp filters light right.

8. Kids playing with dart throwers.

9. All-weather bamboo hat.

7. Weaving in progress.

10. A fence that keeps intruders out.

1.2. Chinese bamboo cane dancing.

1.2. Chinese bamboo cane dancing.

3. Bamboo roof provides shelter.