Pashmina
Pashmina is a fine cashmere (Kashmiri) wool traditionally obtained from the undercoat of the Changthangi goat, which is native to high-altitude Himalayan regions such as Ladakh and Nepal. Softness, warmth, and a luxurious feel distinguish Pashmina shawls and scarves. The term "pashmina" refers to shawls and scarves made from this wool, but it can also refer to the wool itself. Pashmina is a delicate and light fabric that is also very strong. It is frequently used to make scarves, shawls, wraps, and other items of clothing worn for warmth and style.
Short note to Pashmina
Pashmina wool is traditionally derived from the undercoat of the Changthangi goat, which is native to high-altitude Himalayan regions such as Ladakh and Nepal. The raw wool from Changthangi goats is collected during the spring shedding season and used to make pashmina. After that, the wool is cleaned and sorted to remove any impurities.
The pashmina wool is then hand spun into yarn. The yarn is then dyed and woven into a variety of fabrics, including pashmina shawls and scarves, if desired. Hand weaving and machine weaving are both possible. Hand-woven pashmina is more expensive and of higher quality than machine-woven pashmina.
Finally, the pashmina fabrics are finished and transformed into various products such as shawls, scarves, and wraps by the addition of fringes and tassels. Pashmina is a delicate and light fabric that is also very strong. It is frequently used to make scarves, shawls, wraps, and other items of clothing worn for warmth and style.
Short note to Changpa Tribes
A Tibetan ethnic group from India's Ladakh region, the Changpa are primarily found on the Changthang plateau. They are well-known for their customary pastoral way of life and for breeding and managing the changthangi goat, which yields fine wool. The Changpa are a distinct people with a unique culture and language. They have historically been self-sufficient, obtaining all of their food, clothing, and other necessities from their herds. The Changpa have, however, recently encountered difficulties as a result of shifting political and economic circumstances, as well as from climate change, which has had an impact on their way of life traditionally.
Step by step process of making Pashmina shawl
Making a traditional hand-made pashmina shawl typically entails the following steps:
- Shearing: To obtain the fine, soft undercoat fibres, Changthangi goats are sheared once a year, usually in the spring.
- Dehairing: The wool is dehaired after it has been collected to separate the fine undercoat fibres from the coarser outer coat fibres. Typically, this is done by hand with a comb or a specialised machine.
- Cleaning: After the fibres have been dehaired, they are cleaned to remove any dirt, grease, or other impurities.
- Carding: Carding is a process that aligns and combs the cleaned fibres to make them parallel and remove any remaining impurities.
- Spinning: Using a traditional spinning wheel known as a "charkha," the carded fibres are spun into yarn.
- Weaving: On a handloom, the spun yarn is woven into fabric. While weaving, the weaver creates the pattern and design of the shawl.
- Finishing: To give the woven fabric a soft and lustrous feel, it is washed, stretched, and finished.
- Embellishing: Traditional designs are embroidered or embellished on some shawls using techniques such as "sozni" or "ari" embroidery.
- Before it is ready to sell, the shawl is inspected for quality and any defects are corrected.
This labour-intensive process necessitates a high level of skill and expertise, which is why traditional hand-made pashmina shawls are highly valued for their authenticity and craftsmanship.
Who Made This Pashmina ?
Pashmina has been made for hundreds of years by artisans, weavers, and craftspeople in high-altitude Himalayan regions such as Ladakh and Nepal. Pashmina production has been passed down through generations, and the techniques used to spin and weave the wool into fabric are unique to these regions.
As the demand for pashmina grows, machine-made pashmina is being produced by factory workers who use machines to spin and weave the wool into fabric. The traditional hand-made pashmina, on the other hand, is still considered the best quality and is highly valued for its authenticity and craftsmanship.
Buy tribal community products from Universal Tribes
