This project documents traditional ink-making practices in the Eastern Himalayan state of Sikkim, India. Sikkim is a multiethnic, multicultural state and historically was home to rich literary and manuscript tradition in Classical Tibetan, Lhokyed, Rongring, Nepali, and other local languages. Rong and Lhopo Indigenous communities in western Sikkim made their own paper from local tree pulp and ink from maize, soil, and water. With the advent of mass-produced ink and mechanized print technologies, these local forms of knowledge are no longer widely practiced. Our team, which includes two knowledge holders in traditional ink making, will document how to make traditional ink, including where to source different materials including the maize and soil from, and carry out training for members of the public in Sikkim to promote this traditional knowledge system and sustainable material cultural practices.
Tsik nak has historically been used in make prayer flags (tarchod). Photo credit: Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia.
The waterfalls of western Sikkim that provide water for ink making. Photo credit: Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia.
A field in western Sikkim. Photo credit: Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia.
Rice from Sikkim’s fields that is used for making traditional ink. Photo credit: Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia.
Sa nak, or black soil, which produces a unique, resilient black stain. Photo credit: Amy Holmes-Tagchungdarpa.
Making tsik nak, black ink, in the village. Photo credit: Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia.
Tsik nak was traditionally used for woodblock printing and writing. Photo credit: Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia.
Making prayer flags (tarchod) with tsik nak. Photo credit: Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia.
Many other elements of Sikkim’s ecology are used in traditional printing, including leaves. Photo credit: Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia.
Sonam Wangchuck Bhutia stirs the tsik nak in Sindrang, western Sikkim. Photo credit: Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia.
Making tsik nak in Sonam Wangchuck’s tsomkhim in Sindrang, western Sikkim. Photo credit: Amy Holmes-Tagchungdarpa.
Students at Pemayangtse Shedra engage in traditional printing with tsik nak in 2024. Photo credit: Amy Holmes-Tagchungdarpa.
PI: Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia and Alexandra Gillespie
Collaborators: Amy Holmes-Tagchungdarpa and Sonam Wangchuck Bhutia
Location of Research: Sikkim, India
Host Institution: University of Toronto Mississauga
Top banner image: One of the abundant fields of western Sikkim. Photo credit: Kalzang Dorjee Bhutia.
