Guest guest Posted June 11, 1999 Report Share Posted June 11, 1999 Hare Krsna Dasi, I didn't get the pictures attached to those wonderful excerpts on flax linen, even in Alaska, simply amazing. Bengal is/was home to a lot of jute, which I believe is related to flax, and what they call 'the golden fibre' (almost exlusively retted in water, and ya, what a stink). Jute cloth, saris and dhoties have a unique 'sheen' to them like satin or silk, I also believe that jute is considered 'pure' for puja and such, many namaboli chaddars were made from it in India. Unfortunately the jute production is rapidly dying out due to replacement by modern alternatives. Cloth manufacture is all but completely lost. We did grow a few crops of jute at Pundarik Dham a few years ago, even small crops give a lot of fibre. we used most of it for rope, twine, etc. (for the cows, and other things) and have no facilities for processing or weaving it (for sacking or clothing). It's strong. The long stems (our's were over 7' tall) if kept in-tact are also great for making beautiful looking siding for houses, sheds or such-like. The villagers apply gobar to the jute sticks, lean them against a wall to dry, and then for cooking, very handy and easier to store/handle/burn than just the paddies... If you've still got the pictures around, please send them to dabcgp (AT) spnetctg (DOT) com, nothing attached ever transcends com it seems. ys, nistula dasa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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