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News: The traditional craft of aak-fibre weaving is facing decline, though a renewed market could help preserve the craft and create livelihood opportunities for local communities.
About Aak (Calotropis gigantea) and Aak Fibre
- Aak is a large perennial shrub, commonly called crown flower or giant milkweed.
- Scientific name: Its scientific name is Calotropis gigantea.
- Family: Its belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family,
- Habitat: It is found in dry and semi-arid regions and hot regions across the world.
- Distribution:
- It is a native of India, Malaysia and China and distributed in almost all over the world.
- It is abundant in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the UAE.
- In India, aak is found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
- The Maru Meghwal community and farmers of western Rajasthan possess the remarkable art of preparing threads from the bark of aak branches, also called Ankala.
- Climatic condition: It is easy to grow in dry and arid climates and requires minimum water.
- Medicinal Uses: It is used for treatment of skin diseases, boils and sores.
- Aak Fibre: The stem of Aak contains natural fibres with useful properties.
- These fibres are used to make charpoys, dari, ropes, quilts, pillows, and agricultural tools.
- Charpoys, dari and ropes are woven in colourful designs using threads
- Pillows and quilts are prepared from the silk extracted from the aak fruit.
