Mon Shugu: The Ancient Art of Monpa Paper -Making in Mon Tawang Region, Arunachal Pradesh

Genden Lhamu

Abstract: The Monpa people of Arunachal Pradesh, India, are renowned for their unique and long-standing tradition of paper-making skills that originated over a thousand years ago. Mon Shugu is made using traditional techniques that have been passed down across generations. Mon Shugu/Mon Shog symbolizes the rich cultural heritage of the Monpa people, an ethnic tribal group living in India, Bhutan, and Tibet. The Mon Shugu, or traditional paper-making method, is a testimony to the sustainable use of indigenous knowledge and resources and the preservation of centuries-old craftsmanship. Tibetan Buddhist texts and commentaries have extensively used these papers due to their strength and durability. The plant used for making the Mon Shugu is called the Shugu Sheng (Daphne papyracea), also known as the Himalayan nettle tree, which grows well in this Eastern Himalayan region. The bark of the plant is used primarily for paper-making, while the flowers are used to treat ailments and for ritual practices. The present article explores the intricate processes of making Mon Shugu, from the selection of raw materials to the final product, and the cultural significance this art embodies within/among the Monpa community in Arunachal Pradesh, shedding light on its role in preserving their unique cultural narratives, religious manuscripts, and artistic expressions. The article aims to highlight Mon Shugu?s importance in preserving and dispensing Buddhism in the Himalayan region. In addition, it will explore Mon Shugu?s role in conserving Buddhist culture and heritage in the area.

Keywords: Mon Shugu, Monpa, Art, Culture, Heritage, Buddhism, traditional/indigenous knowledge