Friday, September 10 2010
Bamboo and rattan craft in Penang

BAMBOO, one of the fastest growing plants in the world, has had extensive economic and cultural significance in East Asia and South East Asia where they are used widely in gardens, as a building material, and as a food source. Read here for a little insight on the plant. It is usually used with rattan, a species of palm that is also used extensively in buildings, homes and at the workplace. Read here.  

Penang homes had once used these materials quite pervasively, especially in many of its traditional household and leisure items like stools, bird cages, sieves, winnowing trays, baskets, shades, traditional kites, containers, etc. Today, most of their traditional uses have been replaced by other materials in particular plastic. Nevertheless, unlike many other old trades in George Town, bamboo and rattan handicraft makers still run a thriving industry. To learn more on the bamboo craft, click here. For rattan, click here. Also, read here for more on the old trades on George Town.

Seang Hin Leong, a family-owned business in Lebuh Pantai, George Town, have been in this industry since 1959 and is currently producing all kinds of bamboo and rattan by products. View slideshow below for the bamboo and rattan craft exhibition at the Little Penang Street Market, where they are a regular feature.

In the poorer parts of Asia, however, bamboo and rattan remain very important materials for the home and industry. International efforts have been made to use them for socio-economic development. According to the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to improving the social, economic, and environmental benefits of bamboo and rattan:

"Sustainable use of bamboo and rattan makes a major contribution to many people's livelihoods, their environment, and their businesses to help create a better world.

"Bamboo and rattan are integral to the lives of up to 1.5 billion people, roughly a quarter of the present world population. For many of them life is a constant struggle against poverty and deprivation. Bamboo and rattan can provide them with a sustainable way out of poverty, a stable source of income for a growing range of micro, small and medium sized enterprises.

"There are an increasing number of ways bamboo can be used and an increasing number of products that can be made from it, in particular to complement high value timber-wood products. Bamboo is also more and more important in environmental conservation and for rehabilitating degraded land. Rattan is already a valuable resource and its value continues to rise.

"Opportunities to use bamboo and rattan to improve people's lives while conserving their environments are still underdeveloped, but they have enormous potential in this role which deserves increased attention and support."

References

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