Macao Craft of Bamboo Scaffolding: The Intangible Cultural Heritage Secrets Hidden in Bamboo Sticks and the Future Glimmer

 I. The Thousand-Year Wisdom Hidden in Bamboo

  In the streets and alleys of Macau, one can often catch a glimpse of the "sky framework" formed by bamboo poles. This is the Craft of Bamboo Scaffolding, which was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Macau in 2017. This ancient craft, originating from the Guangfu culture, has been rooted in Macau since the 18th century. A painting by a German artist in 1863 recorded the scene of a theater set made of bamboo sheds in front of A-Ma Temple.

  The construction of the bamboo shed embodies the unique wisdom of the artisans. The masters do not need design drawings. They rely entirely on their past experience. They usually cut the bamboo poles, crossbars, and diagonal supports into uprights, crossbars, and diagonal supports. Using them, they weave a stable grid structure. Whether it is the stage for the A-Ma Festival or the construction platform for dozens of floors of buildings, the lightweight bamboo can "support a thousand tons". Even when facing typhoons, it remains as stable as a rock.

The workers are conducting construction work near the São Paulo site using bamboo scaffolding.

from Culture Heritage of Macao 

II. The Challenges of Tradition in the Era's Current Trends

  In the 1990s, the construction boom in Macau brought the bamboo scaffolding technique to its golden age. It became the "safety pioneer" for building tall structures. However, nowadays, this craft is facing a crisis of decline.

   The biggest problem is the lack of successors. Building scaffolds is an outdoor and physically demanding job. Sweat repeatedly soaks through the clothes under the scorching sun in summer. Younger people prefer more comfortable jobs. At the same time, there are very few experienced masters in the industry. Moreover, the site and funds have also become significant constraints. The venue used by the Macau Scaffolding Industry Union for storing materials was reclaimed. Now, the members have to rent warehouses at a cost of over 100,000 mop per month, which has increased tenfold. Although the union provides training at its own expense, it is difficult to sustain due to the lack of government funding.

  Nevertheless, bamboo scaffolding still has its irreplaceable advantages: it is both flexible and strong. It is more flexible than metal scaffolding in delicate operations such as with glass and marble. It is still a necessary choice for celebrations and building renovations in Macau to this day.

III. Coexistence of Tradition and Innovation

  It is heartening to see that artisans are using their ingenuity to carve out new paths for the bamboo shed craft. Just like senior master Zhao Chengwei led his team to infuse artistic elements into the bamboo shed. In 2015, they set up a 3D art installation at the Lisbon Museum in Portugal. This became a bridge for cultural exchange between China and the West. The application of various arts and performances has enabled intangible cultural heritage to enter the public domain in an artistic form.

Artwork constructed from bamboo

Preserving Macao's bamboo tradition through sculptural works

  Nowadays, industry insiders are expecting the government to provide training subsidies and dedicated venues. These innovative attempts have enabled the bamboo shed to transcend its "tool" nature and become a cultural symbol. Perhaps in the future, we will not only see its resilience on construction sites but also encounter its aesthetics in art galleries. This bamboo branch that has traversed time will continue to grow under the sky of Macao.