Loha bark

Loha bark has been used as long as hide to make clothes and shelter out of. Before people domesticated animals or learned how to make leather, the bark was the easiest and most available material for people to use. It is still used a lot as it is cheap and easy to use.

The Loha Tree

Loha trees grow all across the jungle. It is a pretty small tree compared to some of the gigants that grow here, only growing to be around three to five meters. It produces small, green fruit that's very bitter and although it has been proved edible it was believed to be poisonous for a very long time and is very rarely eaten.
What makes it special is its bark. It is very smooth and paper-like, usually peeling of the trees in droves. This makes it easy to harvest for processing.

Processing

The processing of Loha bark into fabric isn't necessarily difficult, but takes a very long time. After it's been harvested it is put into large tubs filled with water, alcohol, and the sap from Unca trees. This is then brought to a boil and left there for up to five weeks, refilling with the liquids as it evaporates. The bark must be covered by the liquid during this whole process. During the boiling it is also possible to add components to dye the bark different colours.
After the boiling process the bark is very, very soft and has a texture similar to that of algae. It is then torn into long fibers using special combs to separate them from each other, before being spun into thread. This thread works just as any other thread and is a staple for clothing and sewing in the whole Southern Union.
When woven into fabric it creates a very sturdy, if not the most comfortable, piece of cloth that is used in a lot of clothing, furniture, decoration etc.

"I don't want another loha dress! Kishori just got a wool dress. I want one too!

— Child overheard talking to her father

"Step right up, sir! Feel this loha here, finest quality! Have you ever felt such smooth loha? I bet you you have not! Best in the country, no doubt!"

— Loha vendor