XIV: Saa paper: Robust and significant
Part 14 of an international solo on ”Lanna“ by Lim Siang Jin. This online exhibition, comprising 20 parts, is from May 6 to June 5, 2025
SAA PAPER, crafted from mulberry bark, has been central to Southeast Asian culture for centuries. It played an essential role in Buddhist manuscripts, ceremonial kites, and village rituals. In Lanna, it has become integral to its art, temple decorations, and ceremonial umbrellas. Its historical significance stems largely from exceptional durability—long mulberry fibres create a flexible, acid-free material ideal for preserving manuscripts. Its tensile strength allows it to endure decades without tearing, making it invaluable for both artistic expression and preservation. This remarkable durability has ensured saa paper's continuing relevance from ancient texts to contemporary applications.
Economic growth from ancient roots
THIS CRAFT is more than tradition—it’s a thriving industry. I visited a mid-sized factory in San Patong District in January 2025. Its owners told us much of their products are now exported to China, where there is a ready market to turn the paper into crafts and other paper-based products. Showing us around, they said the industry provides valuable employment opportunities especially in the rural area like theirs, while supporting sustainable forestry practices. Many of their workers are locals, however, increasingly they are from the Myanmarese community.
Deeply rooted in socio-ecology
SAA PAPER production remains intertwined with local ecology and traditions. Mulberry trees grow rapidly and can be harvested sustainably, with new shoots appearing within weeks of cutting. This creates a renewable cycle that supports both the craft and the environment. Traditional knowledge passes through generations, with experienced craftspeople teaching techniques for bark preparation, fibre processing, and paper formation. Unlike mass-produced papers, each sheet of saa paper retains unique characteristics reflecting its handmade origins and natural materials.
Mapping Asia’s papermaking
ACCORDING to the University of Hamburg, comprehensive research on Asian handmade paper history is needed, particularly in border regions connecting southwest China, Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Vietnam. The historical transmission of papermaking remains poorly documented. Various ethnic minorities maintain distinctive traditions alongside saa paper—such as the Hmong, who craft paper from bamboo. The university’s research examines manuscripts from Naxi, Bai, and Tibetan communities, comparing historical samples with contemporary production methods. This work aims to categorize paper varieties by origin and period, enhance analysis techniques, and investigate relationships between materials, book formats, and technologies.
For more information, click on links: Stephen Menon, O Art Space Gallery, Lim Siang Jin and his art, here and here. For a detailed acknowledgment, click here