Bend it like the Bamboo

By ARM
India
July 18, 2016 11:31pm CST
The monsoon greenery all around prompts me to write this. Bamboo and cane groves dot the country side, new shoots are coming up. For the people here, bamboo is not just another plant. They are raw materials for use in diverse ways; in fact bamboo is an indisputable part of the way of life. The bamboo and cane industry is an integral element in the economy of the North-eastern part of India. From construction materials, to household items, musical items and even a delicacy in the kitchen, you can bet on the bamboo. No, I’m not bamboozling you. A bamboo quote…”The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists”_Japanese Proverb Photo: My photo of bamboo and cane products by local artisans.
25 people like this
27 responses
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
19 Jul 16
You are not 'bamboozling' us! Thank you for all this info, and I loved your photo illustrating this. The proverb is very true - we have a similar one, but using willow instead of bamboo.
6 people like this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
20 Jul 16
@jaboUK and @responsiveme I do that too... its surprising what you can turn into a post isn't it ... and it helps you to look at things in a new way....
2 people like this
• India
19 Jul 16
@jaboUK yes it does.I do enjoy the sights at all times, I'm a' looking outside at the countryside while traveling person.' but now I want to share with you. Glad to be here.
3 people like this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
19 Jul 16
it a marvelous natural material - I have some bamboo in my garden all I need is a PANDA now
3 people like this
@vandana7 (100280)
• India
3 Aug 16
Put up a picture lany, let us see...hey I need to call you on a post, if I may...I loved it..
1 person likes this
@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
4 Aug 16
@vandana7 I quickly went into the garden just to take a photo of my bamboo! Good Morning Vanny
1 person likes this
• India
19 Jul 16
hee hee..
3 people like this
@sofssu (23662)
19 Jul 16
Those are such lovely baskets and artifacts. I love bamboo clumps.. I grow one in a little container. They have this kind of dainty look but they are truly strong.
3 people like this
@sofssu (23662)
19 Jul 16
@responsiveme what are those lovely jug/vase shaped containers used for? I see another beauty like a lamp stand. Excellent craftsmanship.
2 people like this
• India
19 Jul 16
yes, they are sold by craftsmen along the national highway when I go to visit my parents.
3 people like this
• India
19 Jul 16
@sofssu they are actually used for keeping fish in....I'll do a post on that when I get a good photo. But now city folks use it as a container for dry/artificial flower decorations.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
3 Aug 16
Hmmm... I grow bamboo in my yard. I've made it into sunscreens for my front porch, my daughter has used bamboo to make jewelry and small boxes. We also eat the shoots and I freeze and store bamboo to add to our meals after the spring growing season is over. Bamboo is versatile here at our house, too.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
4 Aug 16
@responsiveme I harvest them when they are about a foot tall, peel the wrapped leaves off of them, chop them up and add them to whatever I am cooking. They seem very similar to celery to me. By the time everything is done cooking the bamboo is very soft and even resembles celery cooked in the food. Sometimes Pretty likes to take a stalk after I have peeled it and splits it in half. Then she puts peanut butter on the inside surface of it and eats it like that. Yeah, Pretty is very good at crafts! Sometimes she sells stuff she makes on Etsy.
2 people like this
• India
4 Aug 16
Great to know how use it at your home. Your daughter must be good at crafts. How do you eat the shoots?
2 people like this
• India
4 Aug 16
@DaddyEvil the bamboo shoot here is cooked with pork .If kept for sometime it becomes sour and then it is pickled. What are the other crafts that Pretty makes? Terracota earrings are also very fashionable here.
2 people like this
@brokenbee (11090)
• Philippines
19 Jul 16
My hometown is known for its bamboo crafts. They make furniture out of bamboos.
3 people like this
• India
19 Jul 16
Same here, as I said much in common.
1 person likes this
@magallon (19279)
• Philippines
19 Jul 16
We also use bamboo materials here. A house made of bamboo is refreshing and cool.
3 people like this
• India
19 Jul 16
Yes, of course , your place and mine have many things in common.
2 people like this
@magallon (19279)
• Philippines
19 Jul 16
@responsiveme Right. We also use those things in the picture especially the one used in winnowing grains.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100280)
• India
3 Aug 16
Gandhiji used it as walking stick. You forgot the walking stick of father of the nation! Now, I need to sue you...
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (100280)
• India
4 Aug 16
@responsiveme .. There were some beautiful Japanese brooms made from bamboos. I think they would be more effective than what our folks make for cleaning the roads and yard and even homes. I wish some of that would be incorporated in India.
http://daivietartex.com/AdminCP/MediaPicker/Download?path=broom.jpg
1 person likes this
• India
4 Aug 16
That is a very good mention.thanks.
1 person likes this
@sishy7 (27167)
• Australia
19 Jul 16
Nice handmade products there... The flat ones are used to put food on, aren't they? And the half-round ones are used as food cover, no?
2 people like this
• India
19 Jul 16
Rounded ones are used to store vegetables, smaller ones for fruits or any other odds and ends, the flat one is for winnowing rice. And yes we use the flat one as tray in community feasts, also for putting out chillies, other spices out to dry in the sun.
2 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
19 Jul 16
@responsiveme We too get to see such displays,But mostly they are cane chairs,tables cribs s etc.Good photo.
2 people like this
• United States
19 Jul 16
i would so love to come 'n see if'n i could learn such fine work! there's no bamboo'n these parts, but native grasses the native americans used to fashion all those magical thingies's well. i reckon i ought to see if'n i can grow me some though? they're touted to bring good luck 'n i could use me some'f that :D great proverb! big hugs!
2 people like this
• India
19 Jul 16
I would so love to have you here.
2 people like this
• United States
19 Jul 16
@responsiveme hang'n, lemme see if'n i can squeeze through this here puter screen.... nah, dang't! i'll not fit jest know i'm there'n spirit, my friend.
2 people like this
• India
19 Jul 16
@crazyhorseladycx Harry potter could do it.wish he told us how! We'd move in and out so many times
2 people like this
@sallypup (61088)
• Centralia, Washington
19 Jul 16
Such lush greenness behind those lovely baskets. Thank you for sharing your colorful world. I have an old vanity dresser that has bamboo as well as mahogny wood on parts of it.
2 people like this
• India
19 Jul 16
Thanks for liking it.I love old things, not the newfangled plastic and metal furniture. Because you wrote about lush greenery....., please check out my previous post.You will like that too.
20 Jul 16
I do love many bamboo products. What an amazing source that comes from nature!
1 person likes this
20 Jul 16
@responsiveme still simply in my head
1 person likes this
• India
20 Jul 16
Yes, it does. How are you getting on with your book.?
1 person likes this
• India
20 Jul 16
@jillybean1222 Start scribbling even if a few disjointed lines...your ideas....it'll take off ."A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."...Lao Tzse
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Jul 16
We stayed in a Karen village once in outback Thailand and everything was made of bamboo. It is certainly very versatile.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339930)
• Rockingham, Australia
21 Jul 16
@responsiveme We were right up on the Myanmar border. It was lovely country.
1 person likes this
• India
21 Jul 16
We are next door(sort of) to Thailand :)
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
20 Jul 16
I agree.with the quote :)
2 people like this
• India
17 Aug 16
That quote is indeed very true in life
@rebelann (112872)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Jul 16
If I can find a variety that will grow here I am going to plant some, I've always wanted bamboo growing in my yard
1 person likes this
@rebelann (112872)
• El Paso, Texas
20 Jul 16
I hope so @responsiveme it is very arid and hot here so finding the correct variety could prove hard to find, I will only buy the clumping variety though because the ones that send out runners can ruin a mobile home if they grow underneath.
1 person likes this
• India
20 Jul 16
I'm sure you will be able to find a variety, people plant decorative varieties in their yards here too.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
20 Jul 16
I love the photo and the post... and the joke .. bamboozling too... please forgive my ignorance ... but how do you use bamboo in the kitchen for it to be a delicacy ??
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
21 Jul 16
@responsiveme thank you ... that sounds nice... will have to look out for them... I love stir fry's....
1 person likes this
• India
20 Jul 16
thanks for your interest. Bamboo shoots and pork, bamboo shoots pickle, bamboo shoots stir fry with small fish.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
19 Jul 16
I'm not bamboozling you when I say that it is a fantastic plant. They also make bamboo flooring, but ours are wonderful oak throughout the house. Love your photo. Who would have thought it could also be used so beautifully in crafts?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
18 Aug 16
@responsiveme It has a veneer so a damp mop keeps it clean.
1 person likes this
• India
17 Aug 16
Your oak flooring must be great.What about the maintenance part of it?
1 person likes this
@just4him (317041)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
19 Jul 16
Bamboo is a very useful product. Great works of art there.
1 person likes this
@just4him (317041)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
20 Aug 16
@responsiveme No problem.
1 person likes this
• India
17 Aug 16
They are indeed. I 'm sorry I missed out your response earlier
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
19 Jul 16
I love the look of bamboo but hardly ever see it now. Out in the country we used to use it for fishing poles.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
20 Aug 16
@responsiveme Just cut your bamboo, tie on your line and there is your fishing pole.
1 person likes this
• India
17 Aug 16
We usedit for fishing rods too:)
1 person likes this
@detion (197)
19 Jul 16
Great to hear! Nature is so lovely!
1 person likes this
• India
19 Jul 16
thanks, nature is lovely and bountiful. do you have cane products where you stay?
1 person likes this
@detion (197)
19 Jul 16
@responsiveme Not really. I live in Albania.
1 person likes this