SILK EXTRACTION FROM ERI SILK WORM TO HANDLOOM PRODUCTION

 

Traditionally Eri –silk comes from the caterpillar Samia ricinin , found  in the North Eastern part of India , specially in the Dima Hasao district of Assam . The woolly white  silk is often referred  to as  “ Fabric of Peace” as it is processed without killing the silk worm. The heavy rainfall and humid environmental conditions  in Umrangso encourages the growth of Eri silk worm.

 Silk is extracted from eri silkworm. People in and around Umrangso (Dt- Dima Hasao, Assam ) are engaged in the production of silk traditionally. For that they construct  a thatched house where they keep the leaves of castor plants. In this leaves  moth of eri worm lays eggs and the leaves are also used as food by them. After few days  eggs develop into larva. The next stage is the pupa, in this stage it gives out fiber from its mouth which surrounds the complete caterpillar and that becomes cocoon . Then the  cultivator cut a portion of the cocoon  and take out the worm or they may put it in the hot water from where thread is extracted. But  in case of Umrangso  cultivators are found to cut the portion of cocoon and take out the worms, which is again kept for future use.

A female silk moth  lays hundred of eggs at a time. The eggs are stored carefully  on strips of cloth or paper and sold to silkworm farmers. The farmers keep the eggs under hygienic conditions of temperature and humidity. The eggs are warmed for a suitable temperature  for the larva to hatch from eggs. This is done when mulberry  tree develops fresh leaves. The larvae which is also called as caterpillar eat day and night and develops its size enormously. The larvae are kept in clean bamboo trays along with the leaves of mulberry. After 25 to 30 days the caterpillars stop eating  and move to a tiny chamber of bamboo  in tray to spin cocoons . The caterpillar or silk worm spin the cocoon inside which develops rearing and reeling . After completing this, I went for the  next part regarding the procedure employed for handloom production from silk fibre.

I have taken 3 to 4 places of Umrangso  for the survey and better information. People in this area have a sound traditional knowledge in silk production but it need to be blended with the scientific knowledge. As the people of this region is not getting a good market to sell their finished products so they are reluctant to devote huge time. Moreover seeds are also very costly to start the livelihood.

 

Some steps from my end I have taken to popularise the hand loom production for our locality which  can also be viewed in broader aspect. Kindly view the video of self made taat sahl.

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