Ryndia is a rare silk from north-east India – more specifically Meghalaya.
Savitha Suri
Weaving it is a means of livelihood for members of the Ri-Bhoi community who place great value for their Niang Ryndia or eri silkworm from which they organically produce the Ryndia silk.
Rather popular in this north-eastern state, the rare silk, occupies a special place in the hearts, homes, and workstations of the locals. Over the years, spinning and weaving yarn made from the silk, has helped many from the community to sustain themselves economically, and brought the various members, closer.
The weavers have traditional ways in which they work around the silk, and also some local legends they live with. It is believed that women who do not know the traditional weave do not find themselves a husband. Although, merely a myth revolving in the small community, it signifies the importance Ryndia has in the lives of the locals.
Ryndia silk is extracted when the Niang Ryndia hatches its worms.
Ryndia silk is extracted when the Niang Ryndia hatches its worms. Reared across the state, the silkworm is fed with barynda, which makes for its main food, other than the plants it feeds on. After the worm has disposed off its bodily waste, it climbs back up to begin the process of shedding its cocoon. It is the completion of this natural cycle that the locals wait for, before they begin picking the cocoon to process it into a yarn.
The tedious process of yarn making is done by hand, using locally available products and traditional equipment, all of it being raw and natural.
The fabric is organic and its thermal properties make it an all season wear.
After being soaked in water and put on a stove, the cocoon is wrapped in big leaves and drained of excess water. The weavers then spread out swatches of the cocoon to make the yarn. Despite the lengthy process, some women work single-handedly on it, right from sourcing the cocoon to making the yarn, weaving it into a fabric, and selling it to handful of customers from the surrounding region.
The fabric is slowly emerging in the international markets thanks to designer Daniel Syiem’s work.
The fabric is organic and its thermal properties make it an all season wear. Dyed using natural dyes ( turmeric, amaranth, indigo for example), the fabric is slowly emerging in the international markets thanks to designer Daniel Syiem’s work.
The supply is erratic making it a long wait for the fabric/ product.
*Featured images are the traditional shawls given to elders as a mark of respect.