Truca

From Almeopedia

Truca is a tall palm of northern Arcél with enormous fronds, which can grow as long as 15 m. The fronds are an important source of fiber. They are cut and dried in the sun. The fronds can now be used as thatch; or the individual leaves are pulled off and woven into baskets, mats, or other items. For a more durable fiber, leaves which have been dried for at least a year are wrapped together in a cloth, which is then rubbed or crushed. This breaks up the leaf into long fibers, which are immersed in water to separate them from the connective membranes. Truca fibers are stronger than hemp, and are used for rope, shoes, furniture, and even boats and walls.

Hunter-gatherers and peasants can make skirts or loincloths out of truca, but these are raspy and uncomfortable; petay is preferred if it’s available, and cotton or huar imported from the highlands if it’s not too expensive. (The poor are often unable to afford any other cloth; thus the Belesao expression, ”Keep on truca.”)

Truca nuts are sometimes eaten, but more often pressed to make truca oil (háčà).

Lé trukà