HOW TO MAKE A HOCKEY STICK FROM BAMBOO

NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION

The Field Hockey Stick and the alternative.
Line-artwork drawing by Tony Fernandes.
Guirim, Cumbiem Morod, Bardez, Goa. India. 

(The Fabulous 1950's and 1960's)

As a kid growing up in the 1960's in Goa, football was my passion. Hockey came a close second. But hockey sticks did not come cheap. So, in the right sense and application of the ages old saying: 'Necessity is the mother of invention', youngsters from the village had devised unique ways to create hockey sticks from bamboo. As shown in my illustration, here's an easy way to make a hockey stick from what nature's flora has to offer for free in order to make do and not miss the opportunity of playing the game.

Firstly, we looked out for a bamboo patch in the neighbourhood. They were normally found on the outskirts of our village. Then pick a bamboo matching the thickness of a normal hockey stick, dig out around the root, cut and separate the required piece, clean up, flatten the left side, cut to the right height and finally give some personal finishing touches.

Then go, run to the fields, play and return home before the 'Angelus' bell tolls at dusk.

Simple things and the rustic lifestyle gave us pleasure. We enjoyed the little things we had and silently wished and hoped for affordable and greater things for our future. Just like any other kids.

The players in my team were not only the boys and girls in my village, my class-mates, friends or neighbours, but also my parents and almost everybody that I knew, and those I held as special, including teachers at my Alma Mater. They helped shape what I have still have today - and those are the fond memories of childhood.

Bamboo Rhizomes propagate and expand profusely sending out roots and shoots from its nodes that defines its curved shapes a little beneath the ground surface.