One of the most famous silks from Assam is the Munga silk. The fact that this silk is entirely golden yellow in colour distinguishes it from all other variations. In Assamese, the word "Munga" implies yellowish. The Munga Silkworm, which dates back to the time of the dinosaurs and is extremely sensitive by nature, is the cause of it. It cannot withstand even the lowest amounts of pollution. The silk has the finest natural fibre and is organic and natural.
It is a very precious and costly variety of silk sold only by upper-class markets and stores. The longevity of Munga Silk is one of its main advantages. In short, a Munga Silk garment is claimed to outlive its wearer often.
It is renowned for its toughness. By dry pressing it when damp, you can give it a fine texture, or by not ironing it, you can give it a crushed appearance. So, which one do you like? However, that is not it! The golden glitter on this particular fabric deepens with time. It can be embroidered in any way with varied colours and threads. It is essential because it is compatible with other materials despite having a naturally golden sheen and not requiring any dyeing.
The Birth Of Munga Silk
Contradictory documents indicate that Munga Silk has been grown and woven for a very long time, although the golden generation can be dated to the Ahom kings' control from 1228 to 1828. The Ahom kings encouraged the expansion of the Munga Silk industry. All of the kingdom's highest officials were required to wear only attire made of Munga Silk, such as a munga silk saree or any layover on the body, according to a rule they had made. Many Munga Silk looms, often called Rajaghoria looms, were operated under royal control.
The Current Day Scenario
Since the Som and Soalu silkworms, which produce the Munga Silk thread, have only ever lived in the West Garo and West Khasi hills of Assam, these hills account for the majority of Munga Silk cultivation. Typically, a silk farmer in the Garo hill region needs access to nearly 1 acre of land to grow 400 g of Muga silk at a time.
The beautiful embroidery on dresses made of this silk, which takes the form of flowers, leaves, trees, and Bihu buildings, gives them a distinctive and gorgeous appearance. The traditional use of this silk has been to create kurtas for men and munga silk sarees, a garment loved by all ladies worldwide.
Notably, 1000 cocoons produce 125 g of silk, and 1000 g of silk is required to make one saree. Did you make the calculation yet? In addition, it takes roughly two months to manufacture one saree from the time the silkworm is raised to the finished article. The Munga silk saree's weaving technique alone takes one week to 10 days to complete.
The Creator Of Fabric
Most of those involved in manufacturing Munga Silk is from the Garo community. In the west Garo hills of Assam, in Tura, Vivian Sangma single-handedly founded a post-cocoon silk industry where the complete process of producing silk into yarn and the finished cloth takes place. As a result, the Central Silk Board, Government of India, awarded her company the Silk Mark Certification.
What makes it stand out:
Uses |
Munga silk comes in a wide range of variations. Hats, caps, scarves, wraps, stoles, blankets, bridal attire, upholstery, sarees, and kurtas are all made from it. In a nutshell, it is used in clothing, house furnishing and accessories.
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Maintenance Instructions |
Fabrics made of Munga Silk can be gently cleaned in cold water with a moderate detergent. Avoid washing it with soap. This fabric should be dry- cleaned for the first several washes. It is advised to store Munga fabric in a different bag, particularly Munga banarasi cloth.
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Worldwide Demand |
Munga Silk, which is already well- liked in the United States, Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East, appears to be heading to Japan, where designers are utilising it to create kimonos and other traditional Japanese costumes.
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Conclusion
You can make several ethnic garments from Munga silk. But are you aware of the authenticity? It is challenging for an ordinary person to check the fabric using a microscope. Thus, relying on shops that guarantee the quality of Munga silk is the best. Come to us, and shop for the best Munga silk saree, designer wear, materials, lehengas, bridal wear and so on. Check out our online store, and we assure you we provide the best online saree shopping, material shopping and many more.