Umden-Diwon Eri Silk Village

Umden-Diwon Eri Silk Village is a traditional weaving village located in Umden, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya, about 60 km from Shillong. It is renowned as a centre for Eri silk, often called Ahimsa silk, produced without killing the silkworm. The village is inhabited primarily by the Khasi community and preserves centuries-old handloom and natural dyeing techniques, offering visitors insight into sustainable textile heritage of Meghalaya.

Visitors can expect a rural village setting with traditional Khasi houses, handlooms and weaving sheds where local women demonstrate the complete Eri silk process from rearing silkworms and spinning yarn to natural dyeing and weaving on traditional looms. Visitors can observe artisans at work, interact with weavers, learn about natural dyes and motifs, and browse and purchase authentic Eri silk shawls, stoles and fabrics directly from producers.

Umden has a long history of Eri silk rearing and weaving practiced by the Khasi community for generations. Eri culture is traditionally a household activity where silkworms are reared on castor leaves and yarn is spun and woven using indigenous knowledge passed down through families, representing one of Meghalaya's oldest cottage industries.

The village represents the cultural heritage of Eri silk weaving in Meghalaya, predominantly led by women artisans. Eri silk is valued as Ahimsa silk and is deeply linked to Khasi identity, sustainable livelihoods and traditional craftsmanship. The village has been promoted as a rural tourism and craft tourism model to preserve handloom heritage and support artisan communities.