Handicrafts Woven Out of Bamboo Strips

The Dai people have been tightly bound to bamboo ever since ancient times. Therefore, they are very good at weaving handicrafts out of bamboo strips. The Dai people live in a world of bamboo. Most of their houses are built among green bamboo trees. They live in bamboo houses and use self-made bamboo products as their daily facilities, such  as beds, walldrobes, tables, stools, mats, baskets, hats, boxes and so on. Among these handicrafts, rice-containers, betel-nut boxes  and "baluo" (small baskets) are the most exquisite ones. These are not only essential facilities in their daily life, but also exquisite decorations. "Baluo" are hung on waists and are tokens between lovers. Every Dai man is good at making handicrafts out of bamboo strips, just as every Dai woman is good at weaving Dai brocade. The Dai young man will make a "baluo" as elaborately as he can for exchange of a beautiful bag woven by his sweetheart. For this reason, making bamboo handicrafts and weaving brocade are regarded as a necessary skill for looking for a sweetheart. A good bamboo handicraft is always painted red inside and golden outside, with peacock feather or colorful glazed patterns. They are therefore beautiful and imposing.