Bamboo
Bamboo is a plant native to Asia, but it is also found in America, certain regions of Africa, and Oceania. In Europe, there are no wild species of this plant; it is only imported. In our regions, it is considered a garden plant. It is an invasive species that, if left unchecked, tends to occupy large areas. These evergreen plants are very strong and can range in height from a few centimeters to significant heights. In fact, they can grow up to 40 meters tall with a stem diameter of 30 cm.
A Bit of History
Bamboo is hollow, lightweight, and very tough. For this reason, it has been used for centuries for various purposes. As early as the 13th century in China, as recorded in Marco Polo’s “The Travels of Marco Polo,” it was used to make sturdy ropes for building bridges and mooring ships. The most striking example of the remarkable properties of this wood is the suspension bridge over the Min River. This bridge connected the two banks for more than 1,700 years (until 2008).
In the Sichuan region, bamboo trunks were used to make pipes that irrigated rice fields over an area of more than 5,000 square kilometers. Bamboo was also used to make pipes that transported natural gas to village homes. In more recent times, bamboo was used to make deadly traps during the Vietnam War. Finally, fibers are woven to make sails and even paper.
The Qualities and Uses
Due to its mechanical resistance to both compression and tension, bamboo is referred to as “vegetable steel.” In the field of engineering, bamboo is used as a construction material. In regions where this plant is widespread, it is used in place of concrete, steel, and wood. We can talk about bamboo engineering. This plant is used to make pillars and beams, bamboo laminates, and highly resistant composites. In many areas of China, bamboo is still used for construction scaffolding.
Bamboo Shoots
Bamboo shoots are an excellent food source. Fermented leaves are used to make alcoholic beverages. In China, canes are used to ferment wine, while in Thailand, the entire plant is consumed. In Guangdong, southern China, the Pseudosasa amabilis variety is used to make fishing rods for fly fishing. Giant bamboo has various uses, including the production of musical instruments like the shakuachi flute or didgeridoo, and for making Japanese bows used in the discipline of Kyudo. Afghan artist Massoud Hassani used bamboo for his work “Mine Kafon,” which was exhibited at the MoMA in New York.
Bamboo and Mythology
For the Chinese, the longevity of bamboo symbolizes long life, while in India it is a symbol of friendship. Since it rarely flowers, this is seen as a sign of impending famine. This belief is due to the fact that rats feed on the fallen flowers; therefore, their population explodes and endangers much of the crops. The last flowering occurred in May 2006. It appears that bamboo flowers in this manner only once every 50 years.
Various Asian cultures believe that humans descended from a bamboo stem. In the Philippines, the legend tells that the first man and woman originated from the opening of a bamboo shoot, which emerged on an island created by the clash between the sky and the ocean. In Japan, Shinto monasteries are often surrounded by a small bamboo forest, intended to be a sacred barrier against evil.
Fashion
Bamboo textile fiber is obtained from the stem through an alkaline hydrolysis process. Laboratory analyses have shown that this fiber is similar to viscose and has the same stability and durability. The fabric, thanks to its qualities, is ideal for contact with the skin. Due to its antibacterial properties and high absorbency, it is suitable for both clothing and underwear.
Thanks to the many cavities that trap air, garments made from this fiber are breathable and capable of absorbing moisture and sweat. In fact, compared to cotton, bamboo breathes three times more. It is cooler and there are no unpleasant odors. It is ideal for bed sheets as its anti-moth and anti-mite properties ensure that 95% of these parasites die within 24 hours.