How To Build Bushcraft Shelter using Bamboo Woods

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bushcraft shelter bamboo

The skill to build a bushcraft shelter is very important especially if you spend lots of time in the forest. It is also one of the survival skills that one must learn in order to survive in the wild. This is the largest forest hut I have built so far. I have built a simple bushcraft shelter before but it wasn’t as big.

I built this bamboo shelter to relax and avoid the rain especially when I am cooking or filming in the bush. At the same time I am taking this opportunity to share with you my knowledge. My style of video is bushcraft ASMR, Malaysian bushcraft style. I prefer it that way. Before I started this video I asked my mother for advice on the most suitable and easy-to-use wood for building this hut. The video reflects the transition of local knowledge from one generation to the next.

Build natural bushcraft hut – Abu bamboo

To build this bushcraft hut, I used a strong bamboo. It’s called ‘abu’ in my Bidayuh language. I’m not sure what it is called in Malay and English – I am Malaysian by the way. I know bamboo is called Buluh in Malay, but I do not know the specific name for this type of bamboo. This bamboo are suitable as a base for huts as they are durable. I also use regular bamboo in other parts.

To tie the bamboo I used a forest rope, it was made from a crawling plant. However, I didn’t have enough forest rope, so I also used cotton rope and wasted wire. The equipment I use is just a Parang. If you notice, the Parang I use is blunt even after sharpening. It is better to have a saw with you, it is easier to cut the bamboo, especially if you don’t have a good Parang/machete.

Bushcraft bamboo table and chair

In the video, I made two tables. This table can also be used as a chair. For the roof part of this bushcraft hut I used wild banana leaves and sago tree leaves. My phone battery ran out before I could film the whole process.

How I build forest shelter?

When I was a kid, I had always followed my parents to the forest. I watched them do the work and sometimes I helped them. I collected what I learned, and now I am sharing that knowledge with you. It took me two days to build this forest hut. I didn’t spend all day there because I had tasks while I was in the area. It is possible with practice to finish the hut in less than a day, although I spread it over two mornings. You may have notice my clothes change in the video. The process of making this hut is not complicated. The challenging part for me was to find the right bamboo and wood.

Most importantly, I was able to successfully built my forest shelter and protected myself from the rain and heat. It may not be a perfect home, but it was a lot of fun to make. I learned a lot including ways to survive in the forest. Hopefully the video will inspire you.

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