Bamboo in the Linpan of Western Sichuan—An Examination Centered on the Period from the Ming Dynasty to Modern Times

Abstract

Thanks to its long history of agricultural abundance, Sichuan has been known as Tianfu since ancient times. And at the core of this Tianfu lies Linpan. Within Linpan, bamboo is yet another essential element. Grown as a kind of cash crop there, bamboo is put to many uses—everyday tools, farm-related handicrafts, and cultural products tied to agriculture. All these uses have helped shape a farming culture that's deeply rooted in Linpan. On top of that, bamboo is woven into the daily routines of local residents, and has long been a favorite subject for scholars and poets to pour out their emotions. As the economy kept growing, bamboo and its processed goods gradually gave rise to what's now called the bamboo forest economy—one that carries the distinct imprint of Linpan's farming traditions, thereby preserving and even broadening those traditions. In more recent times, bamboo products have been combined with tourism and cultural activities, leading to a new kind of bamboo culture. But the truth is, in many places, these bamboo products and the cultural heritage around them haven't been properly safeguarded or handed down over the years. The recent push for the "Bamboo Instead of Plastic" initiative has injected fresh energy into bamboo's future. Still, we're left with the pressing task of how to revive and redefine bamboo's cultural significance.