Rattan is a climbing vine like palm. When it gets to 2 to 3 inches in diameter it is cleaned ,dried, and harvested in 10 to 13 feet poles. Grows in Asia, Africa, and Australia. Looks much like bamboo, and popular for furniture making. Yes Asian people make bows from there special bamboo from that part of the world, and is made reverse of how we use bamboo. The handle is crossed over, and pinned with a nail. Archery is a very popular sport in that part of the world.