Pashmina History
To understand and feel the real importance about Pashmina products, first it has to be started with its historical background. However, Pashmina history has been mentioned differently by different persons in different ways in different places. In this chapter, an attempt has been made to review Pashmina history mentioned by different people in their writings.
Origin of Pashmina in Nepal started long back. The mountain people of Nepal depended on the fabric they had woven for warmth, for easy travel and for survival. In many high mountain areas and semi-tropical jungles, they continued to weave for their perfect protection and comfort wear. The art of weaving woolen products by hand has been practiced throughout the country and it remains popular since its rugged conditions have not changed. Due to gradual popularity and commercialization of Pashmina, there are varieties of Pashmina being offered in the market. For example: Pashmina shawls, Pashmina stoles, Pashmina scarves, Pashmina sweaters, Pashmina mufflers, and varieties of other Pashmina products. These luxurious Pashmina products are hand woven by traditional weavers whose families have been in the occupation since ages. They inherited this art from their ancestors, and tradition of Pashmina weaving continues from one generation to another generation.
Nepalese women have traditionally worn Pashmina shawls. Our ancestors have described Pashmina as sensual sublimity. They perfected the skill to retrieve Pashmina up to 95 percent purity and the skill as such was passed from generation to generation as a heritage of Nepalese handicrafts. Pashmina shawls have become a major trade item in Kathmandu Valley. The fibers are processed and woven in majority of industries established within the Kathmandu Valley.
In Nepal, Caprahircus¾a goat from which the raw Pashmina are produced¾ are found in some of the northernmost parts of Nepal especially in Mustang. In some areas, these Caprahircus goats are crossed with the local breed. This has increased their milk yield but unfortunately has adversely affected their fiber production. Even the purebred goat provides a little more than115 gm per year. The wool is soft white and gray or buff-colored down, which is found under the long and coarse outer hair. This wool is combed out during the spring. In this season, the wool is either shed naturally by hand or rubbed off by the animal itself against the rocks and shrubs, which are then collected by people.
Pashmina is the most original and authentic fibers. The king of all wools originated in Kashmir hundreds of years ago. The art of Pashmina making in the valley of Kashmir is believed to be as old as 3000 years. In the past, only rich and elite had the privilege of enjoying luxurious fabric. It adorned the court of Caesar and was the pride of French queen, Marie Antoinette. Impressed with the unparalleled looks of Kashmir shawl, Napoleon presented Pashmina to impress Josephine. Until mid-twentieth century, Kashmir’s kings had the sole right to purchase all Pashmina from Nepal, Tibet, and other higher reaches of Himalayas. This resulted in establishment of flourishing cottage industry in Kashmir and has lead to the perfection of art of Pashmina making. The making of Kashmiri Pashmina is labor intensive. On an average, it takes nearly 200 – 250 man-hours to make a single pure plain Pashmina shawl without embroidery.
