DONATION/SPONSORSHIP |
If
you would like to help and support Kumbeshwar Technical School in
Kathmandu please complete SAGARMATHA/KTS
funds membership form.
Thank
you for your support.
|
|
PRODUCTION
OF HAND-MADE PAPER |
 Nepalese
hand-made paper is made using an ancient skill dating back more than
a thousand years and passed down through the generations. It is prized
not only for its beauty but also for its exceptional strength and
durability, which makes it suitable for many uses. Nepalese people
still use it today for official government documents, as bandages
to heal minor cuts and wounds and as wrapping paper to retain the
potency of incense, spices and medicine. Our stunning paper products
make wonderful gift wrappers, writing paper, greetings cards, business
cards, gift boxes, lampshades, calendars, paper charts and even wall
coverings.
Nepalese hand-made paper is made from “Baruwa,”
or “Kaagte Paat” as the Nepalese call it, from the bark
of the “Lokta” bush. This bush is the local species
of Daphne Cannabina or Daphne Papyracea – a small, woody plant
of the Laurel family. It is found growing naturally in the Himalayas
at altitudes of 6,000 to 10,000 feet.
|
|
Once
the bark is gathered, it is carried down to the villages. The bark
fibre is boiled in an alkaline solution to break down the lignin.
Traditionally, this solution was made from lye of ashes but now
a solution of caustic soda is used. When it has softened, the bark
is beaten with wooden mallets, producing a fine pulp. This is then
mixed with water and poured onto a wooden mould covered with cotton
cloth. The mould floats on a pool of water. The frame is gently
shaken to spread the pulp evenly, then set to dry in the sun. Once
the mixture has dried, a sheet of paper is peeled off the frame.
Nepalese
hand-made paper is a sustainable resource, harvested and produced
naturally, with no adverse impact on the environment. After harvesting,
the lokta bush naturally regenerates, reaching full maturity again
in six to seven years. In fact, if the lokta was allowed to continue
to grow past maturity it would dry up and begin to decay, preventing
any new growth. Thus the harvesting process actually helps the forest
continue to grow. By plucking lokta sticks out, the forest is rejuvenated
and the fragile forest ecology is preserved.
Nepalese
hand-made paper was introduced to the western market by the Body
Shop in 1989. Anita Roddick, of the Body Shop said, “For me,
it was one of the most important things we did…. Using local
sustainable materials, they revived a traditional craft dating back
to the 11th century…. Localization means making people less
dependent by helping them put their skills and resources to use”. |
|
