The Coir Makers of Lake Ashtamudi

Coir is a fibre made from the husks of coconuts. This series of images shows the process for extracting and spinning the fibres as practiced by a cooperative on the shores of lake Ashtamudi near Kollam (formerly Quilon), in Kerala, southern India

Coir Making - First catch your coconut! Coir Making - The coconut catcher Coir Making - Soak the husks in the lake to soften the fibre Coir Making - Soaking in the lake Coir Making - Coconut husks drying out after a good soak Coir Making - Separate the fibres from the soaked husks Coir Making - Separating the husks Coir Making - Husk separator Coir Making - Bales of separated coir Coir Making - The raw fibre is fed through a thresher Coir Making - Spin the fibre into threads Coir Making - The spinner Coir Making - Twist threads to make rope Coir Making - The twister