Abstract:

Northeast region of India occupies a unique position in the global sericultural map for production of golden muga silk. Muga culture for the people of Assam is part of their culture, tradition and customs, rather than a profitable profession. Factors like natural golden colour of the silk, availability of abundant host plants and skill ness on rearing, reeling and weaving make muga culture a unique profession for the people of Assam. The Ahom kings of Assam (1228-1826 AD) patronized the culture of muga silkworm Antheraea assamensis (Helfer) for production of rare golden silk. Presently, about 30,000 families in Assam are directly associated with muga culture. Apart from Assam, muga culture is also practiced in certain pockets of Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and West Bengal.