Delzo — Papermaking

Delzo (Dzongkha: སྡེལ་བཟོ, also romanized as De-zo) is the traditional Bhutanese art of papermaking, one of the thirteen traditional arts and crafts collectively known as the Zorig Chusum. The handmade paper produced through this craft, called deh-sho (also spelled desho), has been an integral part of Bhutanese civilization for centuries, serving as the medium for religious scriptures, official correspondence, and ritual objects. The craft represents a remarkable continuity of pre-industrial papermaking technology that survives as a living tradition in Bhutan.^[1]

Unlike industrially produced paper, deh-sho is made entirely by hand from the inner bark of the daphne plant (Daphne bholua and related species), locally known as deh-shing. The resulting paper is exceptionally durable, resistant to insects and moisture, and possesses a distinctive texture that has made it prized for both practical and sacred applications. Traditional Bhutanese paper can last for centuries under proper conditions, a quality that made it the preferred medium for Buddhist manuscripts and religious texts throughout the Himalayan region.

Historical Background

The origins of papermaking in Bhutan are closely linked to the spread of Buddhism across the Himalayan world. As Buddhist monasteries required vast quantities of paper for scripture copying, woodblock printing, and ritual use, local papermaking traditions developed to meet this demand. Bhutanese papermaking shares a common ancestry with Tibetan and Nepali traditions, all of which rely on the bark of daphne and related plants as their primary raw material.^[2]

Historical records indicate that paper production in Bhutan was well established by the time of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the seventeenth century, when the unification of Bhutan created a centralized administration that required paper for official documents, legal codes, and correspondence. The great printing houses of Bhutan's monasteries — particularly those at Tango, Punakha, and various dzongs — consumed enormous quantities of handmade paper for the production of Buddhist canonical texts, prayer flags, and ritual items.

For much of Bhutanese history, paper was a commodity of considerable value. Villages that produced deh-sho often paid their taxes in paper rather than grain, and the paper trade formed an important part of the economic exchanges between Bhutan's highland and lowland communities.

Raw Materials and Harvesting

The primary raw material for deh-sho is the inner bark of the daphne plant, which grows abundantly in Bhutan's temperate and subtropical forests at altitudes between 1,500 and 3,000 meters. Several species of daphne are used, including Daphne bholua, Daphne sureil, and Edgeworthia gardneri (locally called argeli). The bark is harvested during the winter months when the plant is dormant, typically between November and February.^[3]

Sustainable harvesting practices have traditionally governed the collection of daphne bark. Harvesters strip the outer bark from mature plants without killing them, allowing the plants to regenerate over a period of three to five years. This practice reflects a broader Bhutanese ethic of environmental stewardship rooted in Buddhist principles of respect for all living things. In recent decades, the Royal Government has implemented regulations to ensure that wild daphne populations are not overexploited.

Production Process

The production of deh-sho is a labor-intensive process that requires considerable skill and patience. The steps are as follows:

1. Bark preparation: The harvested bark is soaked in water for several days to soften it. The outer layer is then stripped away, leaving only the inner fibrous layer.
2. Boiling: The inner bark is boiled in a solution of wood ash lye (potassium carbonate) for several hours. This alkaline bath breaks down the lignin and other non-cellulose components, leaving behind soft, pliable fibers.
3. Beating: The boiled fibers are thoroughly washed in clean water and then beaten on a stone slab with wooden mallets until they form a smooth, uniform pulp. This beating process is critical to the quality of the finished paper.
4. Sheet forming: The pulp is suspended in a vat of water, and a wooden frame fitted with a fine cloth screen is dipped into the vat. The papermaker lifts the frame with a thin, even layer of pulp on the screen, allowing excess water to drain through.
5. Drying: The wet sheets are carefully transferred onto smooth wooden boards or flat rocks and left to dry in the sun. Once dry, the sheets are peeled off, trimmed, and stacked for use.

The entire process, from bark collection to finished paper, can take several weeks. A skilled papermaker can produce approximately twenty to thirty sheets per day, depending on the size and thickness required.

Trashi Yangtse: Center of Papermaking

Trashi Yangtse district in northeastern Bhutan has historically been the principal center of deh-sho production. The district's forests are rich in daphne, and its communities have maintained papermaking as a hereditary craft for generations. The Trashi Yangtse Deh-sho Factory, established with government support, serves as both a production facility and a training center where young artisans learn traditional techniques.^[4]

Other areas where deh-sho production continues include parts of Bumthang, Lhuntse, and Mongar districts. However, Trashi Yangtse remains synonymous with the craft, and paper from this region is considered to be of the highest quality.

Uses and Significance

Deh-sho has served multiple purposes throughout Bhutanese history:

• Religious texts: Buddhist scriptures, prayer books, and canonical texts were traditionally written or printed on deh-sho. The paper's durability ensured that sacred texts could be preserved for centuries.
• Prayer flags: Woodblock-printed prayer flags (lung ta) are often printed on deh-sho, which withstands the wind, rain, and sun of Bhutan's exposed mountain passes.
• Official documents: Before the introduction of modern paper, all government correspondence, legal documents, and administrative records were written on deh-sho.
• Ritual objects: Various Buddhist ritual items, including offering papers and protective amulets, are made from handmade paper.
• Packaging: In some regions, deh-sho was traditionally used to wrap butter, incense, and other goods for trade and transport.

Contemporary Status and Challenges

The introduction of industrially produced paper in the twentieth century significantly reduced the demand for deh-sho. By the 1980s, the craft was in serious decline, with fewer families maintaining the tradition. Recognizing the cultural importance of traditional papermaking, the Royal Government of Bhutan took steps to revive and support the craft through the National Institute for Zorig Chusum and various development programs.^[1]

In recent years, deh-sho has found new markets both domestically and internationally. The paper is now used for high-end stationery, book covers, lampshades, greeting cards, and other decorative products that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. The Bhutanese government has actively promoted deh-sho as an eco-friendly, biodegradable alternative to plastic packaging, and in 2018 launched initiatives to replace plastic bags with deh-sho bags in certain contexts.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain. The labor-intensive nature of production means that deh-sho cannot compete on price with factory-made paper. Younger generations in rural communities are often reluctant to take up the craft, preferring wage employment in urban areas. The long-term sustainability of wild daphne populations also requires ongoing management and monitoring.

References

1. "Zorig Chusum." Wikipedia.
2. "Centre for Bhutan Studies and GNH Research."
3. "Daphne bholua." Wikipedia.
4. "Tourism Council of Bhutan."