Cultural Attributes and Traditional Knowledge in Connection with the Rearing of Muga (Antheraea assama = assamensis) in the Dhemaji District of Assam, North-East India

• Published in: Journal of Insect Biotechnology and Sericology Vol. 84; no. 1; pp. 1_017 - 1_028
• Main Authors: Chakravorty, Jharna, Gogoi, Mallika, Meyer-Rochow, V. Benno
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ibaraki The Japanese Society of Sericultural Science 01.01.2015; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: age-old practices; Antheraea assama; Bombyx mori; rearing methods; Saturniidae (Lepidoptera); sericigenous insects; Silk; silkworm culture
• ISSN: 1346-8073; 1884-7978
• DOI: 10.11416/jibs.84.1_017

Assam is well known for the production of golden-coloured silk from muga (Antheraea assama = assamensis) silkworm. Muga culture has a long tradition amongst the rural community of North-East India and the people of the district of Dhemaji in Assam are no exception in this regard. The process of culturing muga involves three successive phases, which are distinguished as pre-rearing, rearing and post rearing. The traditional rearers follow a variety of indigenous practices that were passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth. In recent years, however, these age-old, religiously followed and highly respected practices involving every step and stage of muga culture are often no longer adhered to by the younger generation of culturists. This disregard and/or ignorance of the traditional ways can compromise the quality of the muga silk product. The present study has been undertaken to record and publicize the traditions associated with muga rearing still being followed by the rural inhabitants of the Dhemaji district of Assam.