Coir Craft - Kerala
The coir making process is a traditional craft of the people of Kerala as coir is available in abundance in the state. The artisans follow the traditional as well as the mechanical process of extracting fibre, twisting, spinning and making of twines and other products from coir.
Traditional Process of Retting and Fibre Extraction:
The outer layer is soaked in the water for six months. The wet coconut is repeatedly beaten with an iron rod for easy removal of the husk. The outermost layer is peeled out to separate the husk.The fibre is manually separated with hands.The fibre is refined to remove the particles from the husk on a machine locally called Kudu.
Mechanised Process of Retting and Fibre Extraction:
The outermost layer is soaked in the shallow backwaters for three months. The dry coconut directly put into the Rettingmachine.The fibre is made into bundles, fastened with a twine and piled up. The piled fibre is soaked in a water tank for two to four days for purification of the fibre.The fibre is refined to remove the particles from the husk on a machine locally called Kudu.
