WHEN I ASKED THE LADY what should I do
To make her happy and make love true
She said the only thing I want from you
Is a little, little piece of a big bamboo
The big big bamboo
O la la la la la la la la
Working for the Yankee dollar
– The Big Bamboo (The Merrymen)
AS I CONCLUDE this four-part series about silent doctor bamboo, I recognised bamboo is not only famed for its health benefits, but also for its preference as a woman’s musical healer.
I came to this conclusion after listening and digesting the lyrics of the song made famous by the The Merrymen. They wrote that “a Chinese woman divorced her husband because she preferred bamboo to chop sticks”, and in the lines above, a woman detailed that the only thing that could make her happy was bamboo.
I also discovered that another woman was offered sugar cane and she loved the flavour but preferred the big bamboo.
I knew this song from the time I was a little girl but as I listened and sang with more meaning, I recognised it is very hilarious and culture-based. I knew I was onto something when I fell in love with bamboo – it is very stimulating and refreshing.
The articles written about bamboo have created everlasting space for very interesting and progressive conversations. In retrospect, bamboo has been around the Caribbean for many years and was thoroughly utilised by the Amerindians.
I also recently viewed on cable television the bamboo bicycles that are emerging from Africa.
We in Barbados must commence our research on the health and economic benefits of making use of our bamboo. Remember I wrote about Resort Bamboo Bed Sheets – Caribbean Mint being sold in Barbados for US$239.
Therefore, at the primary and secondary level, we must encourage our students to explore with bamboo so that we can be producers of all the bamboo accessories, textile products, food products and all the other manufactured goods.
The listed health benefits related to bamboo are inexhaustible. Most persons who have ailments can review bamboo to discover how they can gain relief.
Additionally, just sitting near the musical bamboo patch at Codrington College is very therapeutic and always reattaches me to my inner self on the occasions when I am in stress street.
Finally, each one must teach one. I too have discovered much from my social media contacts about bamboo. I am leaving you here now and going to sing the Merrymen’s Big Bamboo.
DISCLAIMER: It is not our intention to prescribe or make specific claims for any products. Any attempts to diagnose or treat real illness should come under the direction of your health care provider.