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Damodar works a simple frame loom strung with coir yarn spun from his own coconut groves in Canacona, and he'll walk you through packing each row of coarse fibre tight enough to hold its shape. You'll finish the day with a small doormat-sized piece, rough and durable, exactly like the ones laid outside homes across the district.
Coir matting turns coconut fibre into a hardwearing, fully biodegradable household product, and hand-loom weaving of this kind has become rare as power looms take over larger-scale production.
Coir mats woven on simple frame looms have been a staple household item across coastal Goa for generations, valued for their durability and their use of a locally abundant, otherwise wasted material.
We're still verifying a practitioner for this experience — check back soon.
Morning
Loom setup and yarn tensioning
Afternoon
Weaving and finishing your own coir mat
Difficulty
Moderate — requires consistent hand pressure
Age suitability
12 and up
Coir yarn strung on the frame loom
Damodar packing a row tight
A finished coir matPhotographs from this experience will replace these panels once available.
Is the coir yarn scratchy to work with?
It's coarse but manageable; gloves are available if you prefer extra protection.
How long is the mat I make?
A small mat, roughly the size of a doormat, completed within the day's session.
“Rougher on the hands than I expected but Damodar kept things light with stories about his coconut grove.”
Rekha V. · 5/5
“A genuinely useful souvenir — my mat is at my front door and gets compliments.”
Ben H. · 4/5
Not a sight to see — a practice to enter.