Shan Paper Making

In Shan State, traditional Shan Paper is making as home industry in Pindaya which is touristic little town in Souther Shan State. Some of the people in this region earn their living by making Shan Paper in Ngapyaw Taw Quarter which is located at the foot of the ancient cave.

There are many merberry trees growing along the mountain ranges. The tahe, the bark from that tree and boil it an upon pan mix with ash about eight hours.

When the barks are soft enough they pound it with wooden hammer till they get pulp. The pulps are in brown colour in medium size of pulp are put in a pot full of water. After that they stir it with bamboo stick and pour in the bamboo frame in a water tank. Then they spread in the bamboo frame sieve and decorate with beautiful flowers. After that they take the sieve out of the water tank and dry it in the sun about three hours. When it is dry enough they peel the paper out of the bamboo frame sieve and get the Shan paper. Mostly the paper is used for packing the parcels and napkins. Some people from that region use Shan paper as paper wall sheet to protect the wind coming through from bamboo walls. So paper is one of the useful materials in Shan State.

By: Saw Pyi Soe (alias) Mr. Lionel
Tour Guide
Shan State
Myanmar