Papyrus Notebook Journal – Handmade Uganda Stationery
A papyrus notebook journal from Uganda is the most poetic souvenir a writer, traveller, or nature lover can own. Handmade using papyrus paper – the same material used by ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago – and bound in covers featuring Ugandan barkcloth, kitenge fabric, or hand-painted gorilla art, these journals are objects of beauty as well as practical stationery.
Papyrus Paper in Uganda
Uganda’s papyrus wetlands – one of the most extensive in Africa – produce an abundant supply of the tall aquatic sedge that has been used to make paper since ancient times. Ugandan paper-makers harvest papyrus stems, slice them into thin strips, and lay them in overlapping crosswise layers before pressing and drying them to create sheets of natural papyrus paper.
The resulting paper has a warm, cream-to-tan tone with visible fibres running through it. It is slightly rough to the touch, accepts ink and pencil beautifully, and carries a faint, pleasant organic scent.
Journal Styles
- Kitenge cover journals – bold African wax-print fabric hardcovers with papyrus interior pages
- Barkcloth cover journals – warm reddish-brown barkcloth covers with recycled interior pages
- Hand-painted gorilla cover journals – covers featuring original gorilla artwork, each unique
- Pure papyrus journals – all-papyrus covers and pages, fully natural and biodegradable
Perfect For
Safari travel journals, sketchbooks, gift notebooks, and personal diaries. A papyrus journal makes an extraordinary gift for anyone who loves writing, travel, or Africa. Prices from $8 to $25 USD. Available at craft markets and airport shops throughout Uganda.