Muga Silk

It is a golden-yellow colored silk produced by the silkworm Antherea assama. The muga silk is found only in the Brahmaputra Valley of India. Raising of muga worms is a tradition in Assam. The high-priced muga silk products are known for their shine and elegance and are very popular in both domestic and international markets.

Muga Culture
The muga silkworms are raised on Som (Machilus bombycina) & soalu (Litsaea polyantha) trees. A single female moth lays 150-200 eggs after copulating with the male. Generally, the female is tied to a kharika for laying eggs. The larvae are reared outdoors on som and soalu trees. At the end of the larval period, when the worms are ready to spin cocoon, they are semi-domesticated. That is, the young ones that crawl down at the end of their larval period are collected by the rearer. These worms are allowed to spin cocoon in the rearer's house.

Muga Silk Products
The pride of India, muga silk is known for its natural shimmering golden colour. The most expensive of silks, muga is intrinsically woven into the cultural traditions of the people of Assam. The highly valued muga silk is extensively used for making vibrant Sualkuchi sarees, mekhalas, chaddars, etc. These items represent the traditional pieces made of muga silk.

Fashion accessories like necktie and kurtas are also woven from muga silk.

Muga culture is specific to the state of Assam and an integral part of the tradition and culture of that state. The luxurious and unique muga silk products are produced only in Assam in India and are in great demand all across the globe. Owing to its shine and elegance, muga silk products are exported from India to various European and Central Asian countries.