Derived from the pods of the ceiba pentandra tree, kapok is a fluffy, cotton-like natural fiber that has historically been used in upholstery, furniture, and meditation cushions. Its soft, buoyant composition (weighing one-eighth the weight of cotton) makes it both comfortable and supportive to sit on. In addition to these qualities, kapok has also become popular more recently as a sustainable, eco-friendly textile.
Kapok has played an important role in industry and culture in many other parts of the world, but is still relatively unknown in the United States, where synthetic foam is far more common. Read on to learn about kapok’s rich history, its myriad uses as a fiber, and why we continue to stuff our zafus with it here at Still Sitting.
History kapok and the ceiba tree
Kapok trees (Ceiba pentandra) are native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The trees can grow up to 200 feet tall, with large, spreading canopies and distinctive buttressed roots. They are also some of the largest flowering trees in the world.
Ceiba trees thrive in humid, tropical climates with well-drained soil, where they play a vital role in the ecosystem by providing food and habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
The trees produce seed pods filled with fluffy fibers that surround the seeds. These fibers, known as kapok, are lightweight, buoyant, and water-resistant. Kapok fibers are naturally silky and soft, with a fine texture that makes them ideal for use in textiles.
Kapok fiber has a history dating back thousands of years, with evidence of its use by indigenous peoples in tropical regions such as Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Pre-Colombian Mesoamerican cultures including the Aztec and Maya considered the ceiba a sacred tree that held up the world.
In New Zealand, the Māori have used the bark and wood of ceiba trees for tools, and even medicinal purposes.
Cultures from around the world have also prized kapok fiber for its buoyancy and insulation properties, making it ideal for filling life jackets, mattresses, and pillows.
During World War II, kapok was used throughout the US navy in life preservers. The navy was so dependent on the fiber that demand for it was labeled “strategic and critical.” The military even anticipated supplies of it being cut off in Southeast Asia due to the war in the Pacific and made preparations to stockpile the material.
Lightweight, hypoallergenic, and breathable
Kapok fiber is prized for its lightweight, hypoallergenic, and breathable qualities. Pillows, mattresses, and cushions made from kapok offer natural support and comfort, while also being environmentally friendly and sustainable. The fiber is also used in clothing, upholstery, and insulation.
In Buddhism, kapok holds special significance as it is a common filler for meditation cushions including zafus and zabutons. Zafu translates from Japanese as “sewn seat.” However, the translation could also literally mean cushion made from the reedmace plant, also known as a cattail. Initially filled with reedmace down, modern zafus predominantly use kapok, or other fillers.
Eco-friendly and green
Kapok fiber has become increasingly popular as a sustainable, eco-friendly fiber.
Ceiba trees are fast-growing and thrive in diverse ecosystems, promoting biodiversity and preserving vital habitats. These trees are capable of growing without harmful pesticides and fertilizers, and have a low-water footprint, requiring no irrigation.
The manufacturing process is also generally sustainable because it can be done without the use of added chemicals or dies. However, kapok is frequently mixed with synthetic fibers, which isn’t ideal from a sustainability perspective.
Kapok is a remarkably resilient fiber. It lasts a long time, so products made with it will be more durable, and last you longer. Finally, kapok is biodegradable and compostable, so can be safely disposed of at the end of its life cycle.
At Still Sitting our zafus are stuffed with pure kapok fibers — no synthetics. We continue to use this durable, comfortable stuffing not only because of its historic significance in Buddhism, but because of our commitment to sustainably sourced materials.