Coir-making in a village home

Coir is the fibre from the husk of the coconut, and Alappuzha has been the centre of the Indian coir industry since the 19th century, when the first coir factory was set up in the town. The husks are soaked in water for months to loosen the fibre, then beaten to separate it. In the villages around Mararikulam, you can still see husks soaking in the canals and lagoons.

We visit a family who spin coir yarn at home. Two women work a simple wooden wheel, one turning the handle while the other walks backwards, feeding fibre into a twisting strand that can be several metres long. The yarn is then woven into mats, rope and geotextiles. Your guide explains how mechanisation has changed the industry and why hand-spun yarn is still made.

If you wish, you can try spinning a short length yourself, which is harder than it looks. Many families sell small mats and products directly. We can also add a visit to a larger coir weaving unit, where floor mats and rugs are made on wooden looms for export. Combine this with a cycle ride along the village lanes.