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English
I Bue (Bamboo Bullroarer) — a Thin Bamboo Blade One Internode Long and 3-5 cm Wide on a 1-Foot String, Tied to a 1 m Handle; Whirled Until It Roars
อีบื๋อ (i bue, also mak bue) is a toy whirled to make a loud noise; it is named after the sound the blade makes against the air. It can be made from bamboo or any scrap of board; children mostly use bamboo because it is easy to work and easy to find.
This blueprint makes a real i bue to the sizes in the source.
Beginner
About 1 hour
Instructions
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1
Real sizes
Real sizes
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2
Wind-sound toys, before it
Wind-sound toys, before it
The luk lom is turned by the wind on a pole; the i bue is whirled by the player's hand.
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3
Read from the source
Read from the source
"When the blade spins fast it strikes the air, making a loud whoosh or bue sound." (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author not named, CC BY 4.0)
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4
Blade
Blade
Take bamboo one internode long, or about 1 foot, and split it thin, about 3-5 cm wide. Drill a hole at one end for the string.
Materials for this step:
Bamboo Poles1 pieceTools needed:
Knife5
5
Handle
Handle
Take bamboo about 1 metre long and shave the end to a taper, like a switch.
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6
String
String
Thread a string about 1 foot long through the hole in the blade and tie the other end to the tip of the handle.
Materials for this step:
String1 piece7
7
Real images
Real images
Drawings of making and playing the i bue (Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, author not named, CC BY 4.0)
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8
How to play
How to play
Swing the blade round by hand, or whirl it over your head. When it spins fast the blade strikes the air, making a loud whoosh or bue sound.
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9
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting the i bue.
Flow
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10
History and limits
History and limits
In some places it is called mak bue or mak bi; it can also be made from a scrap of board. Take care with the knife when splitting and shaving the bamboo.
Source: Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Traditional Objects of Everyday Use database, "อีบื๋อ", author not named (CC BY 4.0 licence).
**Limits** The source gives no blade thickness; the illustrations are drawings.
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