L200xW130mm, Myanmar
This note book is made entirely by hand in Shan State, eastern sector of Burma. About 11 miles from Hsipaw in Shan State South lies Kyinthi Village beside Mandalay-Lashio Union Highway. Farming and orange is the economic mainstay of the village. Besides, there is a traditional cottage industry there which is production of Shan paper or Mongkai paper in which every house in the village is engaged for extra income.
Shan paper is made from the bark of tree called “Sar”. Such trees grow wild naturally. Shan paper or Mongkai paper is manufactured over one million sheets per month. Some Shan villages make the paper to be thick enough to use as bed sheets whereas some use it as waterproof wear after coating with lacquer.
Item from Soil for the ASIAN FOLKCRAFT COLLECTION