Bamboo scaffolding

Bamboo has long been used as an assembly material in Hong Kong because of its versatility.

Bamboo scaffolding is a kind of traditional scaffolding method using bamboo that has been widely used in construction works for centuries. A plethora of landmarks, notably The Great Wall, were built using this craft.

History

Bamboo scaffolding was first introduced to the building industry in Hong Kong immediately after Colonization in 1800s. Before the use of metal scaffolding in the last 100 years, bamboo scaffolding was widely used in building houses and multi-storey buildings up to four stories high. It was also useful in other construction projects such as temporary sheds for Cantonese Opera performances.

Gradual decline

In 2013, there were 1751 registered bamboo scaffolders and roughly 2000 scaffolding companies in Hong Kong. The practice of bamboo scaffolding has been diminishing due to both labor and material shortages.

The labor shortage may be due to the reluctance of younger generations to become scaffolders. “They even think that it’s a dirty and dangerous [job]. They are not going to do that kind of work,” Yu Hang Flord, who has been a scaffolder for 30 years and later became the director of Wui Fai Holdings, a member of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Scaffolders General Merchants Association, said. “They refuse to step in although we give them high pay. They are scared of it. Young generations do not like jobs that involve hard work.” Another reason fewer people are becoming scaffolders is that new recruits of bamboo need to undergo training with the Hong Kong Construction Industry Council in order to acquire a license. Older scaffolders generally learned in apprenticeships, and may have had more hands-on experience.

Material shortages are also a factor in the decline. The bamboo materials were imported from mainland China. Bamboo - which after three years matures to a naturally wide diameter and thick skin perfect for scaffolding - came from the Shaoxing area in Guangdong. But over the past two decades, firms have had to look to Guangxi. The industry's fear is that one day supplies will be blocked for environmental reasons and export embargoes. Attempts to import bamboo from Thailand or switch to synthetic or plastic bamboo have so far proved unsuccessful.

However, in most African countries, notably Nigeria, bamboo scaffolding is still widely used in small scale constructions.

Constructional usage

Bamboo scaffolding can reach great heights.

Scaffolding is used widely during the reconstruction of outer parts of buildings. Bamboo use makes it unnecessary to build the construct from the ground up. As long as there are fulcrums supporting the scaffold structure, it is possible that these can be assembled at various points during the building work. Bamboo scaffolding makes use of the concepts of engineering and physics. In constructing bamboo scaffolds, only plastic fibre straps and bamboo sticks are required. Although there are no screws, the straps and sticks combine meticulously to form a solid and secure scaffold structure. This Bamboo scaffolding is seen mostly in the developing Asian Countries like India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia etc.

Cultural usage

Chinese opera theatres

Chinese Opera is one of the Intangible Cultural Heritages of the world. One of its main features are the bamboo scaffolds of drama theatres. As the stages are set up for temporary use, the flexibility and convenience of bamboo scaffolding contribute to this use. They separate the audience from the performers.

Respecting and promoting the traditional cultures of Chinese Opera, a huge event called the West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre is held at the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade annually since 2012. To focus on the construction of this bamboo theatre, the whole process is recorded on video.

Yu Lan Ghost Festival

Bamboo stages are built for live Chinese operas and Chiu Chow–style dramas every Yu Lan Ghost Festival to worship ghostly ancestors. The stages of the operas feature the bamboo scaffolding construction method, representing the traditional culture of the festival.

Cheung Chau Bun Festival

Bamboo scaffolds and bun towers

The bamboo tower is made by bamboo scaffolding skills for the famous Bun Scrambling Competition. Nine thousand buns, representing fortune and blessing, are held on the fourteen meter tall bamboo tower. For the Piu Sik Parade, bamboo stands and racks are used for holding young costumed performers to float above the crowds in a carnival-like process.

See also

• Building
• Index of construction articles
• Scaffolding (Antiquity)