Eri silk

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Eri Silk (Assamese: এৰি ৰেচম) comes from the worm Samia cynthia ricini, found in North East of India and some parts of China and Japan. The name Eri is derived from the Assamese word ‘era’, which means castor as the silkworm feeds on castor plants. One of the common names, the 'Ailanthus Silk moth', refers to the host plant. Eri silk is also known as endi or errandi in India. The wooly white silk is often referred to as the Ahimsa silk or the fabric of peace as the process does not involve the killing of the silk worm. Moths leave the cocoon as soon as it is ready to be spun. The eri silk worm is the only completely domesticated silkworm other than Bombyx mori.

Process

Eri caterpillars eat a number of plants, including kesseru. It is grown in the Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, Orissa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and some small villages in other states. The heavy rainfall and humid atmosphere of the region suits the Eri culture. The spun threads are often more "cottony" than most Bombyx silks, although some Eri yarns can be very soft and shiny.

After 30-32 days, the silk worm crawls in search of a comfortable place among the leaves to spin its cocoon.

Qualities

Eri silk is a staple fiber, unlike other silks, which are continuous filament. The texture of the fabric is coarse, fine and dense. It is very strong, durable and elastic. Eri silk is darker and heavier than other silks and blends well with wools and cotton. Due to its thermal property it is warm in winter and cool in summer.

Uses of Eri Silk Fabric

Eri silk fabric is a boon for those who practice absolute non-violence, not using any product obtained by killing any animal. Eri silk is also said to be a poor person’s silk as it is not as high priced as other silk types. It is widely used by everyone in the regions in which it is produced. It is becoming popular the world over. Vegans and Buddhist monks in India, Bhutan, Nepal, China, and Japan prefer this silk, due to non-violence.

In India, eri was mostly used for the preparation of winter shawls for men and women. The thermal property of eri silk makes it a suitable fabric for shawls, jackets, blankets, bed spreads. Dress materials and baby dresses are also made from Eri silk fabric, because of its soft texture and moisture absorbent quality. Nowadays very fine (up to 210-nm) eri spun yarns are available, which enables weavers to weave very fine clothing, including traditional sari dress materials.

Eri silk is durable and strong and has a typical texture; hence, it is widely used in home furnishing like curtains, bed covers, cushion covers, wall hangings, quilts, etc. The wooly feel adds to the comfort.

Two eri spun-silk mills have been established in Hindupur in Andhra Pradesh and Kokrajhar in Assam while another is at Chaygaon, near Guwahati, Assam, which is spinning the finest Eri spun-silk yarn with various blends with bamboo, muga silk, cotton etc.

The silk products are being promoted as eco-friendly and natural, and should also provide more jobs and money for the tribal peoples that primarily practice eri culture.

Eri silk production in India during 2007-2008 was 1,530 tons. This made up 73% of the total wild silk production of 2,075 tons.

References

Fundamentals
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