Bamboo cannon
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A bamboo cannon (Malay: meriam buluh, Jawi: مريام بولوه ; Tagalog: lantakang kawayan; Waray: lantaka, Indonesian: meriam bambu, Javanese: mercon bumbung) is a type of home-made firecracker which is popular during the Eid season in Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as during New Year's Eve celebrations in the Philippines.
Operation
A typical bamboo cannon consists of a large
The operating principle also works with other combustible fuels besides acetylene, but since most others have narrower explosive limits, the effect is not as reliable. Common examples are solvent-containing
Less-volatile fuels can also work, with skill, such as 200ml of hot kerosene, poured into a small hole near the breech of the cannon. A lighting stick is used to ignite the fumes and fire the cannon, then fresh air is blown into the small hole and the cannon fired again. The bamboo used for this is usually around 4 to 6 inches in diameter and 4 to 5 feet long.
Indonesia
In Indonesia bamboo cannon is traditional game played by children. It was very popular in the 1990s. Nowadays, it's still played by children in rural areas, where the material (bamboo) is widely available. In West Kalimantan, on the banks of the Kapuas river, there are Bamboo Cannon Festivals, which are celebrated a week before Idul Fitri. The biggest bamboo cannon in Indonesia broke records of Indonesian World Record Museum (MURI) in 2007 and again 2009.
Malaysia
Like other fireworks, bamboo cannons are illegal as stated in Malaysian Explosive Act 1957; more Malay children are turning to the more dangerous bamboo cannon as an alternative to commercial firecrackers which have been banned by the government.
Philippines
Bamboo cannons in the Philippines are traditionally known as lantaka (after the native naval cannons of the same name), bumbóng ("bamboo tube"), or kanyóng kawayan ("bamboo cannon"). They generally use either calcium carbide (kalburo) or kerosene.[1] They are commonly used as noisemakers in place of or in addition to firecrackers during New Year celebrations.[2]
Bamboo cannons are legal, and are often touted as a safer alternative to firecrackers.[2] Regardless, they are still dangerous. Bamboo cannons caused the death of one 6-year old boy in Talisay City in 2009 due to lung damage from smoke inhalation.[3]
Boga
The boga or "PVC cannon" is a modern version of the bamboo cannon. A boga is operated in much the same way as a bamboo cannon, but held in the manner of a rocket launcher. Originating in the province of Cavite,[4] use of the device has been banned by the national government since 2006.[5][6]
The device is made PVC piping of substantial diameter, mated to a
The first prototype was made from segmented tin cans connected with packaging tapes or electrical tapes and cut PET bottles (which is still used) and a later design was made of PVC pipes. Other modifications of boga are introduced such as firing round projectiles which can be used as a weapon and pet bottles as breech end.
In the Philippine city of
A variant form, known as bong-bong, is used by the people of
The Department of Health has repeatedly warned against use of boga, which they deem to be dangerous as its use carries a risk of blast or burn injury. A ban was ordered on 27 December 2005 against the use of the devices for the impending New Year celebrations. Officials cited a variety of possible injuries from use of the device, mostly involving delayed explosions to the facial region resulting in eye injury, among others. Post-traumatic conjunctivitis was cited as one of the noted effects.[7]
Users of the device mostly are children and teenage boys, who tend to prematurely open the boga whenever it fails to fire, causing any delayed blasts to fire upon the unsuspecting user's face. Of 178 firecracker-related injuries recorded for the 2006 season (as of December 28) so far, eighteen percent were confirmed to have been caused by use of boga.[9] In December 2007, health department officials maintained the ban on the devices, reminding the public with press releases, flyers and awareness campaigns.[5][7]
Africa
The practice is also present in Africa. In Ghana, they are called Pampuro Tuo and are used during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Many African countries, and Africans in the diaspora, including Jamaica and Haiti have similar practices.
Australia
The PVC cannon is a prohibited weapon in the
See also
- Carbide cannon
- Calcium carbide
- Firecracker
- Eid al-Fitr
- Christmas in the Philippines
- id:Festival meriam karbit
- Potato cannon
- Noisemaker
- Marble gun
References
- ^ Gubalane, Daniel. "How to Make a Bamboo Cannon or Lantaka". PinoyTechnoGuide. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ a b Aquino, Jaime G. (30 December 2016). "'Use bamboo cannon to welcome the New Year'". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Campo, Liv (29 December 2009). "Lantaka claims life of six-year-old boy". PhilStar Global. Archived from the original on 7 August 2022. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Pinoys find another way to welcome the New Year". Manila Bulletin Online. 2005-12-31. Archived from the original on November 22, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
- ^ a b ""Bawal ang Boga", DOH says this holiday season". Archived from the original on 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
- ^ "Pinoys find another way to welcome the New Year". Manila Bulletin Online. 2005-12-31. Archived from the original on November 22, 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
- ^ a b c Santos, Tina (2006-12-27). "'Boga' may be in, but beware of consequences". Inquirer.net. Retrieved 2008-12-29.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "KANYONG KAWAYAN FESTIVAL". Department of Tourism. Calendar of Festivities. 2009. Archived from the original on 2015-02-26. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
- ^ Crisostomo, Shiela (2006-12-29). "Metro Police Chief Orders Ban on PVC Cannons". Newsflash.org. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2008-12-29.
- ^ WEAPONS PROHIBITION ACT 1998 (NSW) Sched 1, s.2(3).