Meet Some Of The Last Papyrus Makers In Egypt Keeping A 5,000-Year-Old Craft Alive | Still Standing

Summary

This video explores the dwindling papyrus paper industry in Al-Qaramous, Egypt, where artisans are fighting to preserve an ancient craft that dates back over 5,000 years. After a revival in the 1970s, tourism and demand for papyrus art thrived, but recent crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have devastated the market. Despite the challenges, local artisans like Atef Mohamed Shehata and Saied Tarakhan remain committed to keeping the tradition alive, hoping for a resurgence in tourism to restore this piece of Egypt's rich history.

Takeaways

• 🌍 This Egyptian village is one of the last places in the world that produces papyrus paper, reviving the ancient craft since the 1970s.
• 📉 Demand for papyrus paper has significantly declined, leading to the near extinction of the papyrus plant in Egypt.
• 🛠️ Atef Mohamed Shehata harvests papyrus by hand and employs workers to process it into paper, showcasing a blend of traditional and modern techniques.
• 🌱 Papyrus plants take a year to grow but can regrow within one to two months after being harvested.
• 🧪 The papyrus strips undergo a fermentation process using hot water and potassium hydrate, followed by rinsing with chlorine to lighten their color.
• 🎨 Artists like Saied Tarakhan rely on papyrus for their artwork, which features ancient Egyptian motifs, reflecting the material's historical significance.
• 📉 The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted tourism, which is crucial for the papyrus market, forcing some artists to close their shops.
• 📜 Egyptians have been using papyrus for over 5,000 years for various purposes, including writing contracts and creating woven goods.
• 📉 Tourism in Egypt plummeted after the Arab Spring in 2011, further affecting the papyrus industry's sustainability.
• 🤞 With hopes for a recovery in Egypt's tourism sector, both Atef and Saied remain determined to preserve the art of papyrus making.

Q & A

What is the significance of papyrus paper in Egypt's history?

Papyrus paper was invented by Egyptians over 5,000 years ago and revolutionized written communication, replacing clay tablets and being used for various documents, including marriage contracts and shopping lists.

How did the revival of the papyrus industry occur in the 1970s?

In the 1970s, an art professor and an engineer brought back papyrus seeds from other African countries, establishing plantations and workshops in Al-Qaramous, which helped revive the local economy based on papyrus.

What challenges are currently facing the papyrus paper industry in Al-Qaramous?

The industry faces a significant decline in demand due to decreased tourism, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, leading many artisans, like Saied Tarakhan, to struggle to find markets for their work.

How does Atef Mohamed Shehata harvest papyrus, and what is the process like?

Atef spends about two hours harvesting papyrus by hand from his acre of land, and after cutting it, the plant regrows within one to two months.

What steps are involved in the production of papyrus paper?

The production process involves cutting the harvested stalks into strips, soaking them in hot water mixed with potassium hydrate, rinsing with water and chlorine, layering the strips for strength, compressing them to dry, and finally soaking up excess moisture with cardboard.

What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on local artists like Saied Tarakhan?

The pandemic halted tourism, significantly impacting Saied's ability to sell his artwork, forcing him to close his shop and lay off workers, leaving him with only a few orders.

What economic changes occurred in Egypt following the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011?

Following the Arab Spring, tourism in Egypt decreased drastically, leading to a 63% drop in visitors over the next few years, which greatly affected the market for papyrus paper.

How do local artists incorporate ancient themes into their work?

Local artists, such as Saied Tarakhan, incorporate ancient Egyptian motifs into their paintings to pay homage to the historical significance of papyrus and its cultural roots.

What is the future outlook for the papyrus industry according to the narrative?

The narrative suggests that there is hope for recovery as Egypt's tourism industry is expected to bounce back, providing potential opportunities for the revival of the papyrus industry.

What motivates Atef and Saied to continue their work with papyrus?

Both Atef and Saied are motivated by a deep commitment to preserving Egypt's history and heritage, striving to keep the ancient craft of papyrus paper-making alive despite the challenges they face.