Silk

:For other uses of the word, see Silk (disambiguation).

Wild Silks

"Wild silks" are produced by a number of undomesticated silkworms. Aside from differences in colours and textures, they all differ in one major respect from the domesticated varieties. The cocoons, which are gathered in the wild, have usually already been chewed through by the pupa or caterpillar ("silkworm") before the cocoons are gathered and thus the single thread which makes up the cocoon has been cut into shorter lengths.

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A variety of wild silks have been known and used in China, India and Europe from early times, although the scale of production has always been far smaller than that of cultivated silks.

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Wild silks are produced by caterpillars other than the mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori). The term "wild" implies that these silkworms are not capable of being domesticated and artificially cultivated like the mulberry worms.

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Commercially reared silkworms are killed before the pupae emerge by dipping them in boiling water or they are killed with a needle, thus allowing the whole cocoon to be unravelled as one continuous thread. This allows a much stronger cloth to be woven from the silk. Wild silks also tend to be more difficult to dye than silk from the cultivated silkworm.

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There is ample evidence that small quantities of wild silk were already being produced in the Mediterranean and Middle East by the time the superior, and stronger, cultivated silk from China began to be imported.

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The beautiful and expensive golden-coloured "wild" silk called "Muga" is produced only in the Brahmaputra Valley — mainly Assam and adjoining parts of Burma. This silk has always been highly prized — not only for its beautiful natural golden sheen, which actually improves with aging and washing — but for the fact that it is the strongest natural fibre known. Garments made of it outlast those made of ordinary silk — commonly lasting fifty years or more.

Related Topics:
Brahmaputra - Assam - Burma

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In addition, it absorbs moisture better than ordinary silk and is, therefore, more comfortable to wear. Nowadays, it is mainly sought after for the highest-quality saris given as presents to brides in India.

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