Banamboo is a small family run tour and accommodation business in Badian, Philippines. Officially opened in January 2020 and then officially closed two months later due to that bug that was going around, Corona or COVID I think they called it.
Whats this got to do with didgeridoos you ask?
Well, in December 2021 Banamboo had their first bookings in almost two years lined up. Then cam Typhoon Odette and put an end to that…
“We were lucky not to have suffered major damage to our buildings. We live in a very low area surrounded by trees, mainly huge bamboo that towered over the buildings. I think the trees may have shielded us from the main force of the wind a bit.“
Mark
While the damage wasn’t as bad as many buildings in the area it was still none the less a super Typhoon that ripped right through the area with the eye of the storm passing right through Badian and the neighboring towns.
The Aftermath
After a rough night riding out the storm The following morning brought light to all of the devastation. Much of the surrounding greenery and trees were gone or just piled up around the place among the lost roofs and debris.
The huge bamboo trees around Banamboo had been flattened to the ground, and while still routed in the remaining parts of the plant the tops of the tree now touched the ground. Over the months that followed the bamboo trees have been dying, so they have been gathering, cutting, treating and storing the bamboo in ‘Didgeridoo’ sized pieces.
After making a set of Didgeridoos some years earlier in Australia, the owner had an idea to make 100 bamboo didgeridoos from the salvaged pipes. Naturally hollow and with hardened sections that can be used to shape a mouth piece they are already half way there. All it takes is a bit of cutting, and sanding and they are ready to be decorated.
Banamboo is now open and taking guests again but with a new goal – to make 100 didgeridoos or more. As an artist himself, the owner has made a start on the first ten pieces and the plan is to get some local artists and guests involved.
“Come and stay with us here at Banamboo and make your own didgeridoo. The bamboo is free, the tools and materials are provided and you can either take your creation away with you or leave it in our collection. We really don’t have any plans for the didgeridoos at this stage other than to make and display them.“
Mark
The First Ten Didgeridos