Documented by Kantipur Atelier Curators
True Himalayan pashmina originates from the Capra Hircus mountain goat, indigenous to the rigorous elevations of the Himalayas. To endure sub-zero temperatures exceeding 14,000 feet, these resilient animals cultivate an ultra-fine undercoat beneath their coarse outer fleece — a natural marvel of lightweight thermal insulation.
The Spring Combing Ritual
Unlike industrial wool collection that relies on mechanical shearing, authentic Chyangra fiber is gathered exclusively by hand-combing during the spring molting season. Herders delicately guide wide-toothed wooden combs through the coat, harvesting only the naturally shedding undercoat while safeguarding the animal's outer protective guard hairs.
This gentle practice ensures zero trauma to the animal and preserves the unbroken length of each individual filament — a prerequisite for hand-spinning yarn with superior tensile strength and whisper-light softness.
“A single mountain goat yields only 80 to 170 grams of usable fleece annually, making pure Himalayan cashmere one of the world's most naturally limited textile materials.”
Fiber Sorting and Dehairing
Once collected, the raw fiber undergoes meticulous manual dehairing in Kathmandu workshops. Hereditary artisans separate coarse exterior hairs (measuring upwards of 40 microns) from the cloud-like underfleece, which measures strictly between 12 and 15.5 microns in diameter.
This exacting purification process accounts for the incomparable lightness and skin contact feel characteristic of genuine Nepali pashmina.
Preserving this centuries-old combing ritual directly sustains indigenous high-altitude pastoralists while ensuring the uninterrupted purity of Kantipur Pashmina Arts textile creations.