Bamboo cannon
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Meriam buluh or bamboo cannon is a type of home-made firecrackers which is popular during Hari Raya festive season in Malaysia. It is popular during festive seasons due to its loud bang antics which can be heard from a far distance. Like other fireworks, playing bamboo cannon is illegal as stated in Malaysian Explosive Act 1957; ironically, more Malay children turn to bamboo cannon as an alternative to commercial firecrackers which are made illegal by the government.
[edit] How it works
Basically, a typical bamboo cannon consists of a large bamboo and a mixture of calcium carbide and some water. The chemical reaction formed as a result of mixing carcium carbide with water inside the bamboo produces acetylene, an explosive gas. The acetylene explodes when exposed to flame targeted to the mixture. The explosion may cause severe injury to the player if not handled carefully.
