David's AW News: Discover The Ancient Secrets of Lokta Paper

Greetings from Kathmandu.

I can't believe I have been here a full week, so much has happened it feels like a month.

Easter is almost upon us, just time to get fully stocked and ready for trading action.

Here, yesterday it rained, which, believe me.. was a major relief because Kathmandu valley has been experiencing some of the worst pollution levels in its history. Actually, they tell me it is worse than Delhi (and that's where we are off to next), and this week, Kathmandu actually claimed the dubious crown of the world's most polluted city.  But after the rain, the gloom lifted, and views to the mountains appeared.  Kathmandu is a basin city; head out and up, and you can quickly leave the smog behind, so naturally, we took every opportunity to get out to see our suppliers' workshops and factories outside.

Escaping Kathmandu smog.

Last week, I was telling you about the journey here and the secret mysterious ceremonies of Bali. If you missed it, you can catch up here.

I'm here with Toni from Spain, he has been here with me before and already has good relations with a number of our suppliers. it's so nice to be back, and our friends here are so welcoming. We have even been invited to a wedding party this weekend. One thing I have wanted to do for a while is the Lokta paper products. They make notebooks and lanterns and even incense from this special paper.

Last time I tried to find the actual artisan producer but couldn't get past the middleman traders. This time we got lucky and found the son of a family business.

Lokta paper is totally Ancient Wisdom... traditionally made for over 1,900 years in this area. Made from the fibrous inner bark of the Daphne shrub, which grows naturally in the high altitudes of Nepal, this paper has long been revered for its quality and resilience. In ancient times, it was used to record and protect sacred Buddhist scriptures such as the Karanya Buha Sutra.

Interestingly, the Lokta plant regenerates naturally within just 4–6 years of harvesting, making it an eco-friendly alternative to conventional paper. No trees are chopped down to make this type of paper.  In fact, these days, they have blends of Lokta paper made with blends of lemongrass and eucalyptus leaves. Every sheet of Lokta paper is painstakingly handmade by skilled Nepalese artisans using age-old techniques passed down through families, keeping this traditional craft alive and thriving in local mountain communities.

So went to see the small workshops in a village on the outskirts of the Kathmandu valley, about an hours drive away.

It was fascinating and lovely to meet his team of workers and his father. Really interesting to see the notebook making processes, in the corner of the workshop was a huge stack of the Lokta paper and I asked where it came from and if we could go and see it being made...

So the next day we went to a different village to see paper production...

I managed (with a little help) to put together a Youtube video for you! - please give me a little encouragement - like and subscribe (well if you actually do)..

Actually, we are so busy here - need to dash, got a meeting with another supplier in a few minutes.

I'll update you more next week.

Meanwhile, back in the warehouse, we have had a container from India with lots back in stock and some new beautiful beach kaftans, parios and lounge pants.

Also, they tell me we’ve got some new incense in stock.  (See below).

Take care,

Have a wonderful week.

David