Lokta Paper – The Sacred Strength of Nepali Kagaz

In a world of instant messages and digital fatigue, paper has become rare. Almost sacred. Particularly when it is handmade – and when it carries the story of a mountain.

What is Lokta Paper?

Lokta paper, also known as Nepali Kagaz, is a traditional Nepalese handmade paper crafted from the inner bark of the Daphne shrub. This shrub grows naturally at high altitudes in the Himalayas and regenerates after each harvest – making Lokta a sustainable and time-honored material.

For centuries, Nepali Kagaz has been used for sacred texts, royal records, and Buddhist scriptures. Its strength lies not just in its fibers, but in its heritage.

• Unbleached
• Sun-dried
• Textured by nature and touch

Lokta paper doesn’t just carry words. It carries intention. And it slows you down.

Handmade by Women in the Hills

Much of this Nepalese handmade paper is produced by women-led cooperatives in rural Himalayan villages. The process is slow, physical, and deeply human:

• Bark is harvested, soaked, and pulped
• Sheets are formed, pressed, and dried under the sun
• Edges are trimmed by hand

Each sheet is a quiet collaboration between earth, weather, and craft. It’s not mass-produced. It’s alive.

A Material That Reflects Stillness

At SĀMAYA, we use Lokta paper as part of our ritual packaging – a tactile expression of care and intentionality.

In future editions, Nepali Kagaz will appear as notebooks: slow spaces for thoughts, prayers, or evening rituals. As with all our materials, it invites presence – not perfection.