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Bamboo scaffolding is a kind of traditional scaffolding method 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 colonisation 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 which is about three to four stories high. It was also useful in other construction like temporary sheds for Cantonese Opera performances. Nowadays, we have different kinds of scaffolding method, but some people are still using bamboo scaffolding in a traditional scaffolding way.

Constructional usage
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 in forming a solid scaffold. It is used widely during the reconstruction of outer parts of buildings. The scaffolds are not necessary to be built from the ground. Some of them are built halfway through the buildings as long as there are fulcrums supporting them.

Chinese Opera Theatres
Chinese Opera is one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in the world. One of its main features is the bamboo scaffolds of drama theatres. As the performers probably set up stages for temporary use, the flexibility and convenience of bamboo scaffolding contribute to this use. They separates the audience between performers.

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

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

Cheung Chau Bun Festival
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 metres 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.

Other usage
During the Occupy Central Movement in October 2014, Citizens make use of the skills of bamboo scaffolding to build roadblocks, against the police.

Overview
In 2013, the number of registered bamboo scaffolders in Hong Kong are only 1751, and that of scaffolding companies are roughly 200. The practice of bamboo scaffolding technique has been diminishing in a threatening way due to the following reasons.

Labour shortage
Young generations are not willing to be trained and put effort in building bamboo scaffolds. “They even think that it’s a dirty and dangerous [job]. They are not going to do that kind of work,” So, 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. “They refuse to step in although we give them high pay. They scare it. Young generation doesn’t like hard-working job.”

Apart from the nature of the job, new recruits of bamboo scaffolders in Hong Kong need to undergo training with the Hong Kong Construction Industry Council in order to acquire licence. Therefore, it is a tough way to get into the industry as the young generations won't have as much hands-on experience as the older scaffolders in the past, who only worked in apprenticeship directly.

Materials shortage
Before, 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 Xiaoxing area in Guangdong. But over the past two decades firms have had to look to Guangxi and Guilin, said So. 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.