This afternoon, I was watching the repeated broadcast of the Hong Kong drama serial “Forensic Heroes” at Channel U. For those who have zero knowledge about this very interesting serial, here is a brief synopsis: It is about a group of police officers and forensic analysts. Equipped with the latest technology and assisted by their colleagues from Forensic Pathology Section, they work together to crack criminal cases. Of course I'm not here today to discuss about the drama...
For today’s episode, they were trying to nab the murderer of a businessman. And the most significant evidence that they had gathered is this particular fabric call “Shahtoosh”. You must be wondering, what the hell is this? Okay, I’m going to tell you what exactly it is:
Shahtoosh (also written Shatush) - a Persian word meaning "Pleasure of Kings" - was the name given to a specific kind of shawl, which was woven with the down hair of the Chiru or Tibetan Antelope, by the weavers of Kashmir. These shawls were originally very few and it took very skilled artisans to weave the delicate hair (which measured between 9 and 11 micrometres). These factors made Shahtoosh shawls very precious. Shahtoosh are so fine that an average size shawl can be passed through a wedding ring. (Source: Wikipedia)
For today’s episode, they were trying to nab the murderer of a businessman. And the most significant evidence that they had gathered is this particular fabric call “Shahtoosh”. You must be wondering, what the hell is this? Okay, I’m going to tell you what exactly it is:
Shahtoosh (also written Shatush) - a Persian word meaning "Pleasure of Kings" - was the name given to a specific kind of shawl, which was woven with the down hair of the Chiru or Tibetan Antelope, by the weavers of Kashmir. These shawls were originally very few and it took very skilled artisans to weave the delicate hair (which measured between 9 and 11 micrometres). These factors made Shahtoosh shawls very precious. Shahtoosh are so fine that an average size shawl can be passed through a wedding ring. (Source: Wikipedia)
I know this is really beautiful, but it's not practical at all. There are always better subsitution! ;)
These elegant animals aren't meant to be slaughtered and made into shawls!
Now the most important thing, how can you help?
By purchasing cashmere and yak wool products! Consumers can contribute to the protection of the Tibetan antelope, as well as assist with supporting the livelihoods of traditional communities in the Tibetan Plateau region.
Now it’s time for us to focus on “Tibetan Antelope”:
Tibetan Antelope is listed among the highly endangered in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The steep depletion in the number of “Tibetan Antelope” is a consequence of total ignorance of consumers and, in some cases, even retailers of “shahtoosh” shawls. The antelope must be killed to collect the wool. It takes 3 to 5 dead Tibetan antelopes to make one shahtoosh shawl. If you are wearing it, you are basically walking around with the dead antelopes! Murderer!
Tibetan Antelope is listed among the highly endangered in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The steep depletion in the number of “Tibetan Antelope” is a consequence of total ignorance of consumers and, in some cases, even retailers of “shahtoosh” shawls. The antelope must be killed to collect the wool. It takes 3 to 5 dead Tibetan antelopes to make one shahtoosh shawl. If you are wearing it, you are basically walking around with the dead antelopes! Murderer!
Now the most important thing, how can you help?
By purchasing cashmere and yak wool products! Consumers can contribute to the protection of the Tibetan antelope, as well as assist with supporting the livelihoods of traditional communities in the Tibetan Plateau region.
*if you are interested to know more, research online!*
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