Back to our roots
Bamboo Stories
People are often surprised to learn that our ducks are handmade by skilled artisans in Indonesia, and even more astounded to discover that every character is carved from the root of the world’s tallest grass: bamboo!
In this series, we dive into some incredible bamboo stories to discover what our ducks are really made of. From bamboo’s Indonesian heritage as a versatile and symbolic material and its leading role in Wayang Golek puppetry to the sustainability superpowers that make bamboo such an
important plant today, join us as we get back to our ducks’ roots.
Uncovering the craft
Bamboo’s honey coloured wood with its swirling, feather-like grain makes it the perfect match for our little charmers. But there’s much more to bamboo than meets the eye. Bamboo’s lightness and quiet strength has been admired for centuries in Indonesia, resulting in a rich history that inspires us to create characters worthy of their cultural heritage. From ancient royal parks to the magical world of folklore, bamboo has proven itself as a symbol of peace, protection, and artistry.
In the first in our series of Bamboo Stories, we take a journey through history to explore some of the many roles bamboo has played in Indonesian culture, inspiring the craftsmanship behind each of our unique bamboo characters.
Peaceful places
The Talang Tuo inscription, dating back to the 7th century and housed in the National Museum of Indonesia, shares the story of King Sri Jayanasa’s creation of the peaceful Śrīksetra park. In his royal wisdom, the King ordered the planting of bamboo, along with coconut, palm, and fruit trees, all “for the well-being of all creatures” and as “the best path to achieve happiness.” We think our Gardener Ducklings would approve!
Grand designs
Fast forward to the 14th century, and bamboo’s charm shines on in the Nagarakretagama, an old Javanese eulogy to Majapahit King Hayam Wuruk. Here, bamboo plays a starring role as a building and decorative material, with artisans skilfully creating temples, towers, and royal furnishings all adorned with “plaited bamboo-work” and intricate carvings.
DCUKs Natural Ducks, Garden Birds and Dodo are our modern day ode to bamboo. We love the way these characters let their material do the quacking.
Magical powers
In the world of Indonesian folk wisdom, bamboo takes on yet another magical role, as seen in the tale of Timun Mas. With a flick of a needle, Timun Mas conjures a bamboo forest that defends her from the fearsome giant Buto Ijo, proving once again that bamboo is as resourceful as it is revered.
Timun Mas is our adventurous Wild Welly Duckies’ all time favourite bedtime story. Perhaps that’s where our Magician picked up their tricks!
Protective guardian
Bamboo has long been a trusty guardian in Indonesia, with the Pakubuwono Kings in the 18th and 19th centuries planting bamboo shelterbelts to protect villages from storms. Even today, many of those bamboo clumps stand as a legacy of royal orders.
If you’re looking for a protective bamboo guardian, may we suggest a member of our Emergency Services or Armed Forces teams.
Coming Soon...
Coming soon in our three-part series, we'll introduce you to the ducks’ great-great-great grandparents: the iconic Wayang Golek puppets of Java, exploring their fascinating history and connection to bamboo!
Stay tuned for an in-depth look at why bamboo is our sustainability superhero in Grass Roots Movement, where we dive into the plant’s eco-friendly powers and its vital role in our world today!