EGYPT-BAMBOO MAKER Alexandria craftsmen turns to traditional techniques to make bamboo furniture

Record ID: 151043

  • Title: EGYPT-BAMBOO MAKER Alexandria craftsmen turns to traditional techniques to make bamboo furniture
  • Date: 11th June 2015
  • Summary: ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT (JUNE 8, 2015) (REUTERS) BAMBOO MAKING SHOP VARIOUS OF WORKER HEATING BAMBOO STICKS WORKER WORKER BENDING BAMBOO STICK (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) BAMBOO MAKER, MOHAMED GABER, SAYING: "The bamboo comes from abroad. From East Asia countries. It is not manufactured here. It comes in the forms of sticks attached and it is then separated according to the type of cha
  • Embargoed: 26th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA94IS1F00V9S4DAYSPTA4NLONX
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Nestled in between the high rise buildings in Alexandria is the workshop of Mohamed Gaber, a craftsmen who makes furniture using bamboo.
    For decades the family furniture business has been turning a profit here.
    But according to Gaber, times are changing, and he doesn't always reap the rewards from his labour intensive work.
    The process of making bamboo furniture is an intricate one, often taking a little under one week to make just one item.
    Despite new technologies and machines that can aid the furniture making process, Gaber prefers to use traditional methods and tools including nails, scissors and another tool known as the 'Al-Ma'dala' 'the adjuster', a wooden tool similar to a wrench.
    "The bamboo comes from abroad. From East Asia countries. It is not manufactured here. It comes in the forms of sticks attached and it is then separated according to the type of chair we will create. Every module has a specific look depending on the shape," said Gaber.
    On the roadside his young apprentice begins to shape and make the back of a chair, it too is a lengthy process.
    "The 'Kanayesh' is thin straws that are washed in water and it is different than what I am doing. We are subjecting the bamboo to fire. It gets bent and then we apply support to the chair through something called "Kawabeer". This is when the weave system is applied to the back and seat of the chair," said Gaber.
    Gaber has been making furniture for 15 years and he is one of the few craftsmen in Egypt that make the furniture by hand.
    One chair costs between 300 to 350 Egyptian pounds, the equivalent of 39 to 45.8 U.S dollars, and as the country witnesses a rise in inflation and food prices, buying of a bamboo chair is a luxury for many.
    Most of Gaber's clients are local business owners and hotels, he also makes tables and bread baskets.
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