Every year from as early as the beginning of October in St Vincent "bussin' bamboo" begins. The loud booming sound of explosions can be heard as the local custom which is our version of fireworks for the 5th of November is practised. There are many tales of men without eyebrows because they were singed off by the fire from bussin' bamboo.
Bussin' bamboo may not always be an exact science but it is a science: in order to get the loud boom or explosion the preparation of the bamboo is key. Also important is the choice of fuel or rather the choice as to how great a risk is to be taken to get a bigger and louder, "Bang!" or expolsion.