BAMBOO
World-wide there are many different varieties of bamboo. The local species ( Called Kerkha) )grows only above 2400 meters. Its stems can grow to the thickness of an arm but due to exploitation, bamboo of such size is rarely seen nowadays. A large hollow stemmed grass which can attain a height of up to 25 meters but usually not growing higher than 6 to 8 meters. The smooth stem has a yellow-greenish colour and is divided into many nodes and internodes. The rough leaves are long and thin with a pointed tip. The flowers grow in 10 to 20 cm long heads, but are rarely seen. It grows in dense stands in the forest, particularly along streams and rivers, up to an altitude of 3000 meters.
Bamboo is widely used for all kinds of purpose. It is used as roofing material, floor covering, for fences, furniture, baskets and for house weaving as well as for the construction of traditional grain stores. Straight stems are the preferred material for traditional spear handles and walking sticks. From the thinner stems, local spinning tools are made. Leaves and shoots provide fodder for animals and the young stems are edible like sugar cane. Bamboo is also used for covering traditional bee-haves and it is used in the wall construction of local houses. Hollowed bamboo stems are used as pipes in the preparation of distilled local strong alcholic drink known as Arekie.
