Pashim

PASHM, PASHMINA, PASHIM, PUSH-MINA

The fine, downy hair obtained from several species of goats in Kashmir and other parts of India. The hair of the goat is cut off once a year with a blunt knife, leaving the soft pashm, or undergrowth of hair behind. The pashm is combed out, pulled apart and all coarser fibres are picked out by hand. The finest quality is yielded by a domesticated goat and from this type the finest Kashmir shawls are made, this variety is called Turfani pashm, or phum, or simply pashm. A lower grade is Phiri. Another variety is obtained from a wild goat and this hair is usually coloured (black or grey). The black is known as Shabri, and the grey as Shah-tush, this type, although genuine pashm, is not so; high in quality as the domestic type. Pashmina is the finest fibre among the wools and hairs, and is the wool used for the finest Cashmere shawls and other Kashmir products.