Giraffe Fibre

We are very happy to announce that today we received the first shipment from our African supplier of what we hope will become a very popular addition to the standard range.

Giraffe fibre has long been used by those living in the more remote regions of Africa in the same way we use wool over here in the UK; as you can imagine it gets a bit too warm for sheep in the desert! The animals are not farmed but are instead offered protection from their natural predators in order to encourage the herd to stay within easy walking distance of settlements. As both human and beast have been doing this for many generations it is now possible to approach the giraffes and comb their legs and lower backs in order to get the finer fibres. These are then used by the people or taken to market to sell.

A unique feature about this method of obtaining the fibre is that it is possible for a skilled comber to actually keep the natural shading, colouration and pattern as it is taken from the animal. As such when you order an amount of fibre it will arrive just as you see below, as if it was taken from the animal only yesterday!

The fibre as you will receive it

This fibre is only starting to become known in the Western world thanks to the work of one anthropologist who has been working with the remote tribes who carry out this combing. Dr Ffyliaid Ebrill-Diwrnod, a naturalist from the University of Abergavenny, has spent the past 4 summers in various regions of Africa, learning the skills required to be acomber.

Dr. Ffyliaid Ebrill-Diwrnod learing to comb. The stepladder allows the finer fibres along the neck to be reached.

Stocks of fibre are limited at the moment, due to the head of the herd, known as Mae'n Jôc, leading the animals away from the stepladder the Dr. installed at the most popular combing grounds. Hopefully they will wander past at some point in the near future, though the Dr. has insisted on staying by her trusty ladder. So, if you fancy giving it a try get your order in quick!

Giraffe Tops

£5.50 / 100gms