Bamboo, a member of the grass family Poaceae, is an evergreen perennial found throughout Asia. It is a highly renewable resource that can grow up to one metre a day, requiring no replanting. Each stalk regenerates from an extensive root system when cut with 30-40cm left intact, making it a naturally sustainable material.
Bamboo is harvested by carefully cutting each pole by hand to avoid damaging younger shoots and to maintain the long-term health of the grove.
Side branches are cut off, and each bamboo pole is cleaned to remove any dirt or residue. Mature bamboo poles are then selected based on straightness, diameter, and flexibility.
Each pole is stripped of its ridges around the outside to create an even texture and manually split into manageable pieces. Inner nodes are then knocked off with a knife, before being split again into the final desired width.
Each strip is planed and sanded to create thin, flat strips pliable enough to be woven. Lengths are left to dry in the sun before being bundled and used for weaving our Bamboo coffins.