[The Guardian] The cashmere trail: On the road with the Mongolian nomadic community

The cashmere trail: On the road with the Mongolian nomadic community

Oyuna Tserendorj journeys across her native Mongolia as she meets the nomadic communities from whom she sources the cashmere for her eponymous brand

Ever since I started my brand in 2002, I have been coming home to Mongolia to visit and spend time with the nomads who take care of the goats that give us cashmere yarns. Much has changed over the years, but one thing has remained the same, something that has been the same for centuries, is our nomads’ lifestyle and values. We worship and respect the land, sky, mountains and rivers through spoken words, Tibetan Buddhism, songs and dances.

My annual trips have now started to focus on nomadic communities who are working towards full sustainability and who are enrolled in programmes, such as the Sustainable Fibre Alliance (SFA), which have a long-term strategy of establishing full sustainability in the cashmere industry. Currently, the sustainability situation in Mongolia is not too bad, but it could deteriorate if we don’t act on it. It is important for me to support it, stay up to date with the challenges it faces and share our nomads’ inspiring stories.

Ahead of the pack: young nomad Lhiasuren Chimidzul with his livestock

Continue reading...
Source: The cashmere trail: On the road with the Mongolian nomadic community

Feeds culled from https://www.theguardian.com/uk/rss