SHILLONG: The ryndia from a hamlet in Bhoirymbong has attracted visitors from Switzerland, Canada and other parts of Europe leading to its popularity in foreign lands.
During a visit to Khweng village under Bhoirymbong in Ri Bhoi district on Wednesday, the family running an eri spinning-cum-traditional dress-making centre said they had sold ryndia to several people in foreign countries.
Rikynti Syiem, who is the owner of M/S Rikynti Spinning Centre, said the villagers raise eri silkworms as domestic activity and this fetches revenue.
The silkworms feed on castor plants in several villages in the area which result in the moths leaving the cocoons. Later, the cocoons are harvested and the threads are created for spinning into ryndia.
Khweng village has over 100 households and many of them are engaged in raising eri. Rikynti’s daughter Baiaikmen Syiem said the villagers who raise eri supply the thread to the spinning centre at Khweng.
The villagers also supply threads, the price of which range from Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,000 per kg, besides cocoons costing Rs 600 to Rs 700. While the rate of white ryndia is Rs 2,200, the coloured ones are priced at Rs 2,500 per piece.
Natural colour made from the bark of plants, turmeric, onion skins, tapioca leaves and others are used for dying the woven fabric.
Baiaikmen got the training in spinning the thread from the central training centre at Kdonghulu village. Eri raising is common among Kdonghulu villagers, especially women.
Elderly lady Dlis Rymbai who raises eri at the village said many villagers have planted castor plants for carrying out eri farming in several parts of the village, besides housing the silk worms for harvesting cocoons.