The ancient Pharaonic tradition of making papyrus paper - in pictures

  • Farmer and painter Said Tarakhan, 60, draws on papyrus sheets in the village of Al Qaramus in Egypt's Sharqiyah province. Farmers in the small village have kept alive the ancient Pharaonic tradition of making papyrus paper.
    Farmer and painter Said Tarakhan, 60, draws on papyrus sheets in the village of Al Qaramus in Egypt's Sharqiyah province. Farmers in the small village have kept alive the ancient Pharaonic tradition of making papyrus paper.
  • Abdel Mobdi Moussalam, 48, cuts papyrus reeds from his land in Al Qaramus. The area is now the largest hub of papyrus production nationwide, according to agricultural experts.
    Abdel Mobdi Moussalam, 48, cuts papyrus reeds from his land in Al Qaramus. The area is now the largest hub of papyrus production nationwide, according to agricultural experts.
  • Mr Moussalam carries papyrus reeds collected on his land.
    Mr Moussalam carries papyrus reeds collected on his land.
  • A woman cuts papyrus by a thread at a workshop in the village
    A woman cuts papyrus by a thread at a workshop in the village
  • In the 1970s, a plastic arts teacher taught the farmers how to reappropriate agricultural and artistic techniques dating back millenia to plant the valuable reed and transform it into brownish paper with ornate drawings and text.
    In the 1970s, a plastic arts teacher taught the farmers how to reappropriate agricultural and artistic techniques dating back millenia to plant the valuable reed and transform it into brownish paper with ornate drawings and text.
  • A woman uses thread to slice papyrus into thin strips.
    A woman uses thread to slice papyrus into thin strips.
  • Soaked thin strips of papyrus are laid out to form a sheet, before compression and drying at the workshop.
    Soaked thin strips of papyrus are laid out to form a sheet, before compression and drying at the workshop.
  • A woman prepares papyrus to compress and dry it.
    A woman prepares papyrus to compress and dry it.
  • Preparing papyrus at the workshop.
    Preparing papyrus at the workshop.
  • Papyrus provides a valuable source of income for people in the area.
    Papyrus provides a valuable source of income for people in the area.
  • The resulting paper is left to dry in the sun before being decorated with writing or colourful designs.
    The resulting paper is left to dry in the sun before being decorated with writing or colourful designs.
  • Mr Tarakhan draws on papyrus sheets at home.
    Mr Tarakhan draws on papyrus sheets at home.