Pale Amethyst Medium Pashmina Mohair Scarf-South Africa

Our Pale Amethyst Medium Pashmina Mohair Scarf is handmade by rural women in South Africa as part of an income generating program. This scarf measures a generous 24" x 73" and features a light amethyst tone. It is made of 100% medium pahmina mohair yarn and is a natural fiber.

Through an intentsive job creation program, over 40 illiterate, poor and rural women now have an opportunity to earn an income thorugh making our line of mohair scarves. More than half are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and have had the opportunity to learn skills in this field. As they learn a new skill they are rewarded with new responsibilities and opportunities and now several multi-talented women can turn their hands to different jobs as required to produce these stunning scarves.

The women live and work in a rural area of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa where transportation is problematic for many of the women who walk across farmlands or hitch rides to work. Their wages often sustain large households. Many of the women pay school fees of siblings or children and some even for their own secondary education through the fair wages they earn. More than 50 percent in this rural community are unemployed so this type of work is necessary to help increase the economic development of the community.

Originally from Tibet, the Angora goats were brought from Turkestan to Turkey by Suleiman Khan fleeing the hordes of Genghis Khan. For centuries, they could not survive outside of Turkey and the yearn was so rare that it was reserved for royalty.

The name of Angora comes from Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and Mohair comes for the Arabic "Mukkhayer" meaning "cloth of bright goat's hair". In 1830 a dozen goats were brought to South Africa by ship, but the Turks had castrated the rams. However, one ewe was pregnant and gave birth to a male kid. Through interbreeding with local goats, a new, hardier Angora goat was bred.

Today, South Africa produces 62 percent of the world's mohair. We hope everyone who purchases one of our mohair scarves from South Africa enjoys their scarf and feels better wearing it since it has brought hope into a disadvantaged community.

HOW TO CARE FOR MOHAIR SCARVES: Mohair naturally repels all dirt except oil and grease.

WASHING INSTRUCTIONS: Hand wash in lukewarm water. Use conditioning shampoo, rinse and spin dry in a pillowcase and dry flat. DO NOT Dry Clean or Tumble Dry!