Norlha

At Norlha, they believe in the exceptional qualities of a rare fibre, in the skill of their dedicated artisans, and the creation of superior products. They also believe that the success of such an endeavour relies on a happy and empowered workforce, one who can stay rooted in their culture while gaining exposure from the world around them. They honour each of these guiding principles equally and without compromise.

Norlha is the Tibetan Plateau’s first yak khullu atelier. They opened their doors in 2007 in Ritoma Village, a nomad settlement comprising 230 families, 6000 yaks and 20,000 sheep. They now employ 130 people, all former nomads or members of nomad families, who have spun, woven and felted for generations. Still, creating a modern, marketable product required thinking and innovation as the local tools, drop spindles and blackstrap looms, were not conducive to commercially viable production. They innovated by using outside technology, importing charkhas and flying shuttle looms from India and Nepal, both ideal for a village based industry. For felting, They combined modern technology and the traditional knowledge and techniques of the local women.