Nomadic Kids

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Based on nomadic culture, Mongolians have their library only in their “Tseej erdem” through generations. But this is not just a form of mental recognition. Erdem itself means “Knowledge through intelligence”. Nomads educate their children with practical daily life-based activities that one day will allow them to acquire Erdem about a different aspect of life. This knowledge should stay in their “Tseej”, meaning that it’s in their intelligence.

First of all, it’s because of their lifestyle. Nomads move 2-4 times a year, and its reason lies with a deep philosophy corresponding to their environmental intelligence. They don’t stay in one place to use all the grass and destroy the land. Instead, they move from place to place, and this way the environment stays sustainable and wild eternally. Additionally, their animals nourish with a new and fresh pasture when they change the place.

Nature is the supreme of everything. All knowledge comes through the understanding of nature and its phenomena. Authentic nomads call and see their god as the sky. Bluish and deep space correspond to their innermost beauty. That’s why we can see praises, songs, poems, artworks, and legends about the sky in all ages throughout their history. Children first learn this philosophy of sky and nature from their parents. It’s very natural that kids start to have close contact with their domestic animals. Once kids realize the connection between nature and animals, they start to learn their role for this connection. Parents teach their kids about all this through their songs, poems, tales, and games.

Life is harder than the city-based civilizations there. But they grow strong. They grow in a totally different way in many senses. More intuitive, free-minded, often they are called as wild, but wild in a sense of free-minded, they know what is the limit and not to harm others and nature. Nomadic kids are aware of their environment around, and the relationship between animals and all the livings.

 

Authentic Mongolia

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The origin of Mongolia is the Altaic people. Known to some as the Central Asian nomads, their history is vast and rich in terms of everything. In time they have been mixed and submerged into Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Mongolia, Russia, and China. And many Mongol origins are still living in India, Iran, and so on to this day. But their common character is their wisdom and love of the emanation that they believe in. Mongolia is a center of Altaic people today.

Altaic people inhale by the open round space and exhale by creating this space into their own individual world. Physically, we can notice it with their yurts. A yurt is a round structure and represents many meaningful characteristics in each part. The main characteristic of a Yurt is that it is like a universe in a small space.

The top part of the yurt is unity. The sun or the light which is in absolute. The most adorable wisdom of everything. From this part, two columns are going down, which represents the two polarities, divine feminine, and masculine spirits. Then the walls round represent the virtues for adorable wisdom. If the walls are well built and strong enough, the yurt is going to the best servant to that adorable light. In turn, if the yurt is a good servant of this adorable light, then everything is circulating under the law of the universe and the meaning of life and death is fulfilled on earth bravely. I really love the sacred wisdom of the Altaic people, because I grew up with their legends and sacred faith. All the messages and representations of the yurt are also in each human being, like a person, each yurt has individuality too.

Altaic people adore the space. They perceive space as a smaller form of the universe. The universe is a smaller version of the absolute, the adorable wisdom, or light. The one who palpates in each heart. This adorable light expands and creates the universe, space, and then humans. A human, for example, is a nomad is a small version of the universe, like their yurt.

Mongolian handicrafts yurt

Adoring this light naturally opens the eye of every nomad into mystery. The long perches for yurt represent the mysteries around everywhere and in everything. The mystery of mountains, rivers, and trees, for example, created shamanism. The mystery of wild animals created the totems. Mongolians adopted Buddhism easily and happily because they realized that the mystery of living with their adorable wisdom was taught in a new way. How to reach that adorable absolute rigorously wasn’t the main importance, contrary, it enriches the method or way to reach that absolute. That’s why Mongolians welcomed Buddhism with respect and honor as legends tell.

Maybe I am one of the last generations, who have faith in this authentic Altaic wisdom. It’s hard to keep it in today’s ultra-capitalistic world. But thanks for reading my blog on mongolianhandicrafts.com.

I believe still, everybody has a right to know about authentic Mongolian wisdom. Difficulties in life can be created by the misunderstanding or the errors of “know-how” to create ourselves, or the yurt. Now, dear reader, the conclusion is for you to decide.

Our Vision

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I recalled my grandparents’ visions about nature. Humble and inspired greetings to milky stars and misty mountains, breathing the fresh morning air with the earth’s caring spirit, touching the great silence of winter nights, and riding the winds on horseback. These values start to call me back strongly towards what I have experienced in my childhood in the Altai mountains.

Everything there is tied to mother earth. As time passes and with the changing world, we have followed. There is nothing bad about following the changing worlds but we need to keep these deep values that we have learned and experienced with our nomadic grandparents. I know that is what our mother earth hopes for us. That is why I started Mongolian Handicrafts.

I started to develop more respect for natural things like fabrics, foods, lifestyles, etc. On the other hand, I started to refuse synthetic, nylon, and anything that comes out of petrol.

Wool is sustainable and renewable. Naturally, yaks, camels, sheep, goats, and other domestic animals are growing their hair, and depending on where they live, they develop different types of wool. Some are itchy, but some are soft like silk. Specially cashmere and pure yak down. Any wool becomes softer and less itchy by its usage. Because wool is an alive substance. It feels the wearer and creates an affinity towards mother earth.

In the end, I would suggest people re-experience the wool world and respect its mystic characters while using it.

The Story of the Yaks Wool

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Nomads call them the “Mountain King”. Even domestic yaks are quite wild, but they have an unshakeable humble attitude towards their masters.

Yak herders live in altitude during every season, because their lung naturally looks for the freshest air and mountain waters. Yaks are really mountainous creature. They become active, stronger, and well-nourished when staying in the highest peaks. As nomads do not milk their yaks during the winter, herders man usually take their yaks to even higher areas in order to help them grow and make them feel happy.

While doing that, herdsmen also enjoy the infinite freedom just to follow their yaks’ road at the high altitude. They stay one to three months in this way, moving through the mountains and come back to their home full of joy.

Due to the geographic location and severe climate conditions, the Mongolian Yak Down is known to be the finest, longest, and softest compare to the ones in China, Nepal, and other parts of the world. Far from the Oceans, high in altitude, and chilled by the coldest Siberian winds from the north, Mongolia is extremely dry and cold in winter. Due to these harsh conditions, domestic Yak develops the most resistant and warmest down hair, under their wool. From all domestic animals, Yak down is the premium. Pure yak down is one of the “Mongolian Noble Fibres”.

Mongolian handicrafts fair trade Yaks Wool

Mongolian handicrafts choose Yak wool as our specialty because yak is the eco-friendliest of all domestic animals. Their pasture land is untouched and rich in many natural substances. Even the yak’s milk is the most delicious. Yak cheese and yogurt have much more calcium and richer in many substances compare to any other domestic animals.

Yak always graze the top of the grass, meaning that they always leave the grass to re-grow. Yak is the most conscious animal for Nomads concerning their environment.

Yak down is soft like cashmere while maintaining the strongest elasticity. Cashmere is sublime, warm and luxurious, but lacks lanolin to provide elasticity. That is why cashmere clothing is impractically delicate.

The most sublime Merino wool is sheared, meaning that the animal is shaved rather than gently combed. That is why Merino wool is not soft like pure yak down and cashmere. Even though Merino wool is durable and stretchy, it is not as warm as yaks down.

The secrets of having the most premium wool are combing, de-hairing and finishing. Mongolian nomads gently comb their yak, camel, goats, and sheep with full of compassion and unexplainable praising. Once this process is finished the wool is delivered to the de-hairing facility in Ulaanbaatar, where the raw wool is sorted by color, washed, and de-haired. We don’t use any chemicals and dye. These natural colors radiate and keep the most mystic language.

A number of independent tests have shown yak wool is between 10 – 40% warmer by weight than equivalent merino wool. Yaks live at extremely high altitudes in Mongolia, Tibet Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

“Wearing pure wool is like having an “alive entity” on us, therefore treat it with respect and thanks its ether radiation.”

Organic Sheep Wool Handicrafts

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The magical geometry in each natural fibre proves that all of this is the conscious work of mother earth. One of these beautiful creations is wool. Nomads observe their raw wool with great respect as it is a  divine gift from their “sky” (mother earth). Even Mongolian traditional script speaks of raw sheep wool. They realise the sacred and artistic shape in it. That’s how the art of Mongolian calligraphy and traditional scripts were born. Mongolian nomads praise their wool in their songs and poems. They sing and dance around their raw wool and praise their raw wool before processing it into clothes or other products.

We consider it as an entity using the word “Ilch”. In Mongolian  “Ilch” means the ether, ultra-dimensional energy is present. In order to keep this “ether” or “ilch”, we don’t colour the wool or use any chemicals for processing. We use hairs that animals shed naturally once or twice a year. In the spring, nomads comb their domestic animals. This means the animals are ready for the hot summer with a lightweight coat. Combed wool is selected for clothes and handicrafts. Sheep wool is the most important animal fibre used in textiles, clothes, yurts and handicrafts in Mongolia since their origin.

Mongolian handicrafts fair trade Pure organic sheeps wool

Mongolian handicrafts treat wool cloths and handicrafts as traditionally and with the greatest respect as the nomads do. I want Mongolians to keep their traditional wool processing and organic custom.

One of the biggest economic powers, neighbouring China, impacts harshly on our pure and organic wool traditions. For many years I have been working with Mongolian local cooperatives and every year it breaks my heart to see the quality of handicrafts decline. This is because Chinese synthetic or nylon handicrafts are becoming so popular. Mongolian traditional handicrafts are mixed with synthetic wool in order to compete with the market. Some people in Mongolia are not even conscious of it and I try and educate them about their traditions and about using pure, organic wool for clothes and crafts even if it is more expensive than those synthetic or nylon ones. I am also trying to be more active in spreading the message of “Buy less and convert ourselves back to the natural fibres” to everyone.

Organic, pure wool is environmentally preferable (as compared to petroleum-based nylon or polypropylene) as a material for carpets, clothes, slippers and all type of handicrafts as well, particularly when combined with a natural binding and the use of formaldehyde-free glues. I only work with the finest wool for our slippers, wool clothes and handicrafts. Even without much knowledge, our customers will notice the virgin quality of our organic and pure sheep wool products. Using wool products supports local farmers and nomads throughout the world. Wool is a sustainable resource.

Mongolian handicrafts fair trade Pure organic sheeps wool

Characteristics of our pure, organic sheep wool and felted sheep wool are:

  • Resilience, elastic, durable, breathable and warm.
  • Naturally regulates temperature. Mongolians can use their wool in winter under -40 C and in summer when it’s + 20 once. Pure, organic sheep wool regulates temperature well.
  • They have the ability to easily absorb moisture and also to release moisture thereby always maintaining a perfect balance.
  • It’s hypoallergenic as dust mites don’t like wool. Dust mites are the major cause of allergy and asthma suffering. They prefer hot humid environments that are more common in synthetic products.
  • When wool is organic, fine and pure, it does not itch.
  • Pure wool is fire resistant. When subjected to flames, pure wool will just smoulder and extinguishes itself.
  • In general, all types of pure wool are capable of absorbing up to a third of their dry weight in moisture. Besides keeping the skin dry, this quality also naturally inhibits mildew.
  • Compared to cashmere, sheep wool products last longer, and by usage, it becomes softer.
  • Pure wool also has natural anti-microbial properties because bacteria tend to be attracted to smooth positively charged surfaces like those of synthetic fibres rather than the scaly surface of the wool. Most synthetic fibres actually increase body odour because they create a breeding ground for bacteria. Sweat itself has no odour, but over time bacteria develop and create unpleasant odours. Pure sheep wool reduces the opportunity for odours to develop because it quickly absorbs sweat and evaporates it into the air. Unlike synthetic fabrics, wool does not retain odours and will freshen just from airing out.

Mongolian handicrafts fair trade Pure organic sheeps wool