Republic of the Philippines

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

Fuentes Drive, Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines
Tel. No. (036) 6214-578 Fax No. (036) 6214-578
website: www.capsu.edu.ph email address: roxas@capsu.edu.ph

HE 214- HANDICRAFTS AND COTTAGE INDUSTRIES

Chapter 14: Rattan Craft
Sub Topics:
Rattan in the Philippines
Methods of bending rattan

MAYEA S. FUENTES EMILY B. CABIGON

Reporter Course Facilitator

Meaning of rattan

Rattan is a naturally renewable palm that grows in the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and
Australasia, and is used for furniture, handicrafts, and building material among others. Rattan continues
to be an invaluable part of rural people’s livelihoods in South and Southeast Asia.

Rattans found in the Philippines

Rattans are naturally found in the Philippine dipterocarp forests and are distributed throughout
the country. Four genera, namely Calamus, Daemonorops, Korthalsia  and Plectocomia, with 64 species
are found in the country (PCARRD, 1991) (see Annex 1).

One of the largest sources has been the Philippines 1. Palasan rattan can be identified by its
tough, solid stems that vary from 1 to 2 inches in diameter and its vines, which grow as long as 200 to
500feet.
Rattan plantation development

The Philippines has some experiences in rattan plantation development, albeit on a small scale.
In Ifugao Province Calamus manillensis, a solitary large-diameter rattan, is widely cultivated in home
gardens for its fruits, which are edible and used as a cure against coughing (Fernando and Palaypayon,
1988).
Etymology, Description and Structure

Rattan alternately called Wicker comes from the Malay word rotan, a specific plant of

the Calamus Daemonorops and Korthalsia genera, belonging to the palm or Arecales or Palmea family.
This type of plant have originated and said to be abundant on the tropical regions of Asia and observed
to have some relative species in Australia and Africa.

 Wicker

Making rattan furniture or wicker furniture and other crafts from wicker can be traced back as

early as the dawn of civilization in Asia, some parts of Africa, and Australia. Brought about by necessity
and expert craftsmanship, early settlers from these continents have genuinely discovered the full
potential of this wild vine.
 Distinct from the most common plant species, its leaves are not clustered into a crown. This
plant is geographically situated on heights climbing up to 3,000 meters above the sea level. Based on
expert studies, there are around 600 different species of this plant and 13 corresponding generas.

Since this type of plant thrives best on the tropics, it wouldn’t be a surprise why the South East
Asian nations like the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia are the top producers of rattan products and
raw materials. This is the primary reason as well why rattan craft from these countries are the most
exquisite and considered to be the best.

Rattan Geographical Distribution

The majority of the world’s rattan supply comes from the Indonesian tropics. The next
top supplier is the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Bangladesh. Almost all
supply of this plant are located and harvested from the hills, mountainous regions, and tropical forests.

The Many Uses and Benefits of Rattan

With all its advantageous features (light, durable, flexible), rattan has been the top choice as a
material for numerous projects and purposes. They can be generally classified either in terms of being a
furniture raw material, handicraft source, shelter material, and even as a source of food and medicine.
1. Furniture Making

This would probably the most popular use of this plant. Rattan furniture making is a very large
industry. Furniture products include sofas, chairs, tables, mats, and many more types. These furniture
are not only adornment to homes but an essential furnishing requirement of businesses as well, most
especially those who are wanting to arrive at a traditional, all natural theme. Said furniture's are the
choice of most restaurants, offices, and all other buildings.

2. Handicraft and Arts

Rattan’s flexibility, strength and durability make it perfect for crafts and all other artistic items.
Expert craftsmanship of a lot of natives brings out the true beauty of this plant. Most museums
showcase some of the brilliant works and items made out of it. The plant is also noted as the material
used for canes not just for oldies but martial artists as well.

That’s correct, for in the Philippines, they are proud of their unique Arnis or Eskrima, a sporting
martial art which in the past is used as a self-defense. This martial art specifically requires the use of a
rattan-cane or stick.

3. Rattan as a shelter material

Most natives or locals from the rattan rich countries employ the aid of this sturdy plant in their
home building projects. It is heavily used as a housing material in the rural areas. The skin of the plant or
wood is primarily used for weaving.

4. Food source and Medicinal Potential

The inner core of the plant including its shoot is edible and is part of the local delicacies of the
specified countries. The fruit is also edible and sometimes fermented to become vinegar.

The Rattan Trade and Industry

To date, rattan global trade reached a massive US$4 billion annually. Some industries
where the plant is abundant heavily rely on craft and marketing. It’s the main income source for the
local or villagers on the most remote areas in the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, thus
helping these people alleviate from poverty.Europeans is said to be the most frequent and best clients
of rattan craft and products.

Environmental Issues and Sustainable Rattan

With its popularity and demand, rattans are considered to be threatened and deemed
overexploited in some areas. Abuse may come in the form of cutting the younger ones eliminating the
future capacity to reproduce. There are also health issues related on the toxicity of some methods of
processing, and the possibility of pollution (Rattancraft products are totally safe and environment
friendly).The solution to the plant’s threatened supply is sustainable planting and harvesting.

Rattan Craft is both an industry and artistry

Most people may be puzzled what rattan craft is all about. Foremost, it is a thriving and booming
industry where most indigenous people of Southeast Asia source out their daily income, businessmen on
the other hand sees it as one of the best opportunities especially due to the great Western demand. It is
a booming industry since a lot of modernized culture and people tend to go back to the basics, to
appreciate more what nature can give.It is also an art as evidenced by the skillful and crafty talents
applied during processing and making, and definitely on the appearance and designs of the end products
or resulting pieces.

Delivering the Best Crafts to the world

• Aside from providing the best of crafted items, furnitures, and displays to the world,
rattancraft.com is dedicated to bring to the public utmost knowledge and benefits that can be
derived out of this traditional crafting and building material.

• With every item we provide, clients would be assured of the quality and the best craftsmanship
they deserve. We adhere to the purpose of providing you with the best rattan craft experience
for you to achieve a much happier and more traditionally crafted lifestyle!

METHOD OF BENDING RATTAN

YMK Nagaoka’s products are all hand-made by skilled artisans. The C-3160 Armless Chair
continues to be produced with the same manufacturing method as it has been since it was first
produced in the 1960s. From wood preparation to completion takes 3-4 days.

1.Wood preparation/cutting

• Rattan material only of good quality is imported mainly from the Philippines.

• The right materials are selected from a wealth of materials of differing thickness, hardness,
curvature, and color, etc., and are cut according to the used parts.

2.Curing

• Rattan is a natural material, so bend, curvature and twist naturally exist. Using levers and poles,
etc., we correct these materials to make them straight.

• Boiler steam is sometimes used to steam materials and make them easy to form.

3.Bending

• Rattan is bent while toasting with fire or steaming, and each part is thus produced.

4.Smoothing

• The surface is prepared by applying a plane or sandpaper to burn marks and scratches.
 • The form is fixed using a 3D mold (jig), etc. produced for each part in advance.

5.Assembly

Each part is assembled with nails or wooden screws, etc. and prepared as an entire framework.
There is a sense stability because rattan with a thick diameter that is difficult to obtain.

6.Winding

• Rattan peel is wound to reinforce joints and to cover nails/wood screws.

• The round core (the core of rounded rattan) is wound around the framework in a horizontal
direction, and round rattan is attached to the seat part.

7.Braiding

• From the central back part, braiding is carried out carefully by hand in line with the framework.

• Using dampened, softened rattan, subtle curves and textures are produced while assuming a dry
state.

• Braiding brings about a peafowl pattern.

8.Finishing

• After braiding, splinters and fine fibers are burnt off with a burner.

• After coating and final check, spray-coating is applied as finishing to complete the production.

9.Completion

• The C-3160 Armless Chair (commonly known as the lounge chair), which was designed for the
lounge of Hotel New Japan in 1960, was added to the New York MoMA Permanent Collection in
1964 as a design representative of the 20th Century.

BLEACHING AGENT & RATTAN CRAFT

BLEACHING PROCESS

 is the application of an oxidizing agent to remove the natural coloring of the material.

 Technical grade hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with a concentration of 50% is extensively

used as bleaching agent.

 It is effective and non-pulling.

 There are several bleaching agent available in the market.

Example: the commercial bleach which is available in 2 solutions as Solution 1 or A and

Solution 2 or B.

 Another is the sodium hypochlorite or commercially known as zonrox.

 Effective bleaching involves maximizing the 2 reaction stages.

Example: oxidation of lignin and other coloring matter and oxidant (Herbert 1963) of
celloluse and hemicellulose to bring about development of high stable brightness,
without loss in weight and least damange in strength.
SAFETY PREACAUTION SHOULD BE PRACTICED STRICTLY IN THE PREPARATION, HANDLING
CHEMICALS AND IN BLEACHING AND FINISHING PROCESS

 In every steps in the bleaching and finishing procedure the worker should always wear
body protection.

Example: mask, gloves and laboratory gown or apron.

 Wash with soap and water any part of the body which had been in contact with the
chemicals.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE WASTEWATER FROM BLEACHING

1. The use of technical grade hydrogen peroxide with concentration of 50% is non-pulling.

2. The disodium octa borate tetrahydrate known as preservative is used at its minimum of
1% which is still allowable for disposal to the sewerage.

3. 3. After one (1) hour of bleaching treatment chemicals are already used up and no
longer available in the solution.

4. 4. 6% alum maybe added to bring the pH to 5-6 to neutralized the solution before
disposing in the sewerage.

NATURAL MATERIALS AT HOME AND IN THE GARDEN

 Although wicker, bamboo and rattan are some of the most commonly used materials,
we must also add cattail (a fiber is braided to make the seat of wooden chairs) and reed
to this list.

 The latter is used to manufacture most of the baskets that many of use as plant pot
covers, which are popular at the moment.

 It is important to stress that wicker and all the other natural fiber can be cleaned with
water, as long as we avoid over wetting them.

 If we placed them under the water tap or used a hose to clean the garden furniture, we
would ruin them.

 In addition, avoid leavening your garden furniture outdoors during the rainy months, as
water can cause fungus to appear.

 The best advice to keep your natural fiber % rattan furniture, pot covers, and basket in
good conditions is to carry out weekly or monthly cleaning maintenance, to prevent dirt
from building up in the nooks between the fiber braiding.

RATTAN FURNITURE CARE: CLEANING STAINS ON WICKER, BAMBOO AND RATTAN

 When pone of your natural fiber items is stained, avoid using bleach, which should only
be used if the stain is very dark.

 These are some of the most common ways to clean stains from natural fibers. They are
listed from least to most damaging to the natural fibers.
 WATER AND SALT

- First remove the dust on the object with the hoover or with a damp cloth. Next
dissolve a couple of tablespoons of coarse salt in 1 liter or hot water. Damp a cloth with
it and rub the stains until they disappear. Let it dry in the open, avoiding direct sunshine.

2. WATER AND DETERGENT

- Use hot water and add a splash of neutral detergent. If the stain is very superficial or
fresh, pick up a few soap bubbles with a damp hand and apply them to the stain. Then rub with
a cloth.

3. WATER, DETERGENT AND AMMONIA

For tough stains, try adding a squirt of ammonia to the aforementioned mix. Damp the
cloth, place it on the stain and rub vigorously and continuously. You can use a toothbrush if the
weft of the fiber makes difficult for the cleaning product to penetrate. Always follow the
direction of the braiding to make it easier to remove the dirt. Rinse it and let it dry in the open
air, avoiding direct sunshine.

4. STEAM CLEANERS

- are ideal for deep cleaning wicker, bamboo and rattan. If the object that you want to
clean is delicate, such as a hat, don’t bring the nozzle of the stream cleaner too close to it.

RATTAN FURNITURE CARE: REMOVE MOULD STAINS FROM BAMBOO, WICKER AND RATTAN

 Fungi or mould can crop up on these natural fibers, forming more or less circular stains
of a brownish or blackish colour.

 In order to remove these mould stains, use hot water and bleach, which will kill the
fungus and completely remove it from the fiber.