Manufacturing technology of Dongba paper

The production process of Dongba paper is as follows:

Dongba papermaking uses the local endemic plant "Adada", that is, Daphne Lijiang Piper as the main raw material. The paper-making process generally includes collecting raw materials, drying in the sun, soaking, cooking, washing, retting, pouring paper, stickers, drying paper and so on. Tools mainly include paper curtains, wooden frames, dry boards, wooden mortar, etc.

The movable paper curtain of Dongba papermaking of Naxi nationality is quite special, and the paper drying process is obviously influenced by the inverted paper method, with traces of papermaking method, which is the compatible crystallization of papermaking methods in Chinese mainland and India-Pakistan subcontinent. The paper made by Bai Di Dongba is white and thick, which is convenient for writing scriptures.

Because the raw materials of papermaking are toxic, paper is not easy to be eaten by insects and can be preserved for a long time. According to the survey in the 1940s, there are more than 5,000 volumes of Dongba classics written with this paper, which has made outstanding contributions to the promotion of Dongba culture. Locke, an Austrian-American scholar, has investigated this traditional paper-making technology and introduced it in detail in the book Life and Culture of Naxi Nationality.

Dongba papermaking technology of Naxi nationality is unique, traditional and practical. It is an important carrier of Dongba Sutra and one of the examples of studying traditional hand-made paper in China. With the continuous development of tourism, Dongba paper has also been developed and sold as tourist souvenirs, or as painting paper for Dongba paintings, which has a good market prospect.

Because this unique technology is only mastered by Dongba, and it is not passed from son to daughter, it is subject to many restrictions in inheritance. The main local paper artists and local newspapers are produced by family workshops on a small scale. In addition, raw material resources are limited, and there are still many problems to be solved in the future development of Dongba Paper.

Historical origin

Dongba paper is a special paper used by Dongba priests of Naxi nationality to record Dongba scriptures and draw Dongba paintings. It is a very rare national handmade paper. Dongba Paper was created in the Tang Dynasty (AD 6 18-907) with a history of 1200 years. Created by Naxi nationality in Lijiang, Yunnan, it is made of natural bark and carefully processed by hand. Technology completely follows the characteristics of the Tang Dynasty.

Dongba paper is the oldest and most primitive handmade paper in the world, and is known as the "living fossil" of human hand-made paper. Dongba Paper has developed a series of products such as calligraphy and painting paper, mounting, high-grade business cards, embossed bookmarks, grass-pressed live-face Tibetan scripture paper and so on. Its delicate texture is very popular.