If you give a bamboo pole to a six year old child, he is likely to use this bamboo pole as a weapon to play role-playing games. This is an instinctive reaction, because from primitive society to the time of cold weapons, bamboo weapons have always been an important presence in the human arsenal.
As natural weapons from jungle to battlefield, no matter be used for offense or defense, bamboo weapons can play a role.
Bamboo made offensive weapon
Bamboo is very strong, elastic, and can withstand large temporary deformations without breaking. Therefore, in China and some Southeast Asian countries, bamboo is commonly used to make the main parts of bows and arrows, including the bow arm and shaft of arrow. Bow and arrow is powerful long-range offensive weapon, and it is once the most terrifying deadly weapon in hunting or war. It is lightweight and easy to carry around, and many famous figures are skilled in archery. In ancient Chinese mythology, Hou Yi used a bow and arrow to shoot the sun.
The bamboo catapult is another weapon that utilizes the elasticity of bamboo, typically using a counterweight to project projectiles. Unlike bows and arrows, bamboo catapult is heavy in weight, usually placed on the ground to use. It can project heavy projectile, like big stone, inflict damage on several enemies simultaneously.
Chinese martial deity Zhao Zilong and the mythical character Nezha both wielded conspicuous red-plumed spears as their weapons. In addition, there are bamboo lances, bamboo halberds, and so on. These are called by a joint name as bamboo long handled straight stabbing weapons. They include long handles made of bamboo poles and sharp ends made of stone or metal. Bamboo long handled straight dining weapons can be used for stabbing or sweeping, and their lightweight bamboo long handles make them more flexible to use, with great power in short to medium distance battles. Until today, there are some indigenous tribes still use bamboo spears for hunting.
Besides, there are also bamboo made offensive weapons such as Japanese bamboo swords, as well as many bamboo made defensive weapons.
Bamboo made defensive weapon
In some African countries and Southeast Asia, bamboo is used to make shields as a defensive tool. High strength bamboo can protect soldiers from injury, and the armor made of bamboo follows this principle. When the enemy attempts to attack, bamboo can also be used to make traps to lure the enemy into falling.
Bamboo walls and bamboo fences are often used to protect the people and resist attacks from enemies or fierce beasts. Using sharpened bamboo to make bamboo fences, if any wild animals attempt to jump from the top of the fence, it can also cause harm to the animals.
Bamboo weapons were once glorious, but other new types of weapons emerged one after another, and bamboo weapons gradually withdrew from the historical stage. However, bamboo handicrafts in Booboa, including bamboo weapon models for home decoration and bamboo fences for gardens, showcase the application of history in modern homes.
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