Gobi Desert herders defy extinction, thriving with strong goats, fine cashmere, and proud self-reliance.
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How are Mongolia’s resilient cashmere herders overcoming harsh conditions and economic challenges to thrive?
In the Herder’s Boots explores the struggles of Mongolia’s nomadic cashmere goat herders to survive on the arid Alta Plateau of the Gobi Desert. They face harsh conditions: frigid winters, scorching summers, and scarce grazing. Despite producing the world's finest cashmere, they're trapped in a market dominated by China, earning a mere fraction of its value. Stephen Parliament, contracted by USAID and Mercy Corps, helped organize herders into cooperatives. This enabled them to sell directly to indigenous Mongolian processors in Uluunbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city, rather than Chinese traders, improve their herds, and access better veterinary care. By working with Mongolian colleagues, he fostered sustainable practices and empowered herders to thrive, even amidst powerful neighbours.
Ideal for students, educators, and scholars interested in Asian Studies. It is also essential for readers concerned with the challenges of globalization and economics.
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Dedication
- Copyright Page
- Abstract
- A Note on Terminology
- Table of Contents
- Preface/Introduction
- Learning objectives
- 1 Where the cashmere trail begins: Search the Gobi Desert for the herder Chuulunbaatar’s winter ger settlement and find nomads
- 2 The herder Chuulunbaatar’s ger: The customs of visiting and eating
- 3 The smell of hot brick tea and warm milk
- 4 Chuulunbaatar’s wife: Gracious hospitality
- 5 Morning on the Gobi Desert: How to get out from under piles of felt blankets on a cold morning
- 6 An unobstructed view: Travel in the Gobi and order a pair of custom-made boots
- 7 A bowl of soup: Classic Mongolian roadhouse
- 8 The late Mr. Stephen Vance, Chief of Party: Taciturn brilliance
- 9 International Politics
- 10 In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: The legacy of Soviet architecture
- 11 The pub in the British Embassy
- 12 The herder Tömör
- 13 A quiet woman
- 14 The culling
- 15 Snow hawks and survival
- 16 Cooperation among the herders
- 17 Fine fiber processors in UB
- 18 Sticker shock for the herders
- 19 Anton’s Bistro
- 20 Emerging markets: Price and exchange in the Gobi Desert
- 21 Visit to Dalanzadgad
- Afterwords
- Notes
- Recommended assignments and discussion questions
- References
- Bibliographic references
- Recommended further reading or watching
- Film
- Index
Stephen Parliament is a political scientist, activist, educator, cooperative housing developer, and writer with global teaching and advocacy experience.
Readers are invited to communicate directly with the author at stephen.parliament1189@gmail.com. Comments and questions are welcome.
How are Mongolia’s resilient cashmere herders overcoming harsh conditions and economic challenges to thrive?
In the Herder’s Boots explores the struggles of Mongolia’s nomadic cashmere goat herders to survive on the arid Alta Plateau of the Gobi Desert. They face harsh conditions: frigid winters, scorching summers, and scarce grazing. Despite producing the world's finest cashmere, they're trapped in a market dominated by China, earning a mere fraction of its value. Stephen Parliament, contracted by USAID and Mercy Corps, helped organize herders into cooperatives. This enabled them to sell directly to indigenous Mongolian processors in Uluunbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city, rather than Chinese traders, improve their herds, and access better veterinary care. By working with Mongolian colleagues, he fostered sustainable practices and empowered herders to thrive, even amidst powerful neighbours.
Ideal for students, educators, and scholars interested in Asian Studies. It is also essential for readers concerned with the challenges of globalization and economics.
- Cover
- Half Title
- Title Page
- Dedication
- Copyright Page
- Abstract
- A Note on Terminology
- Table of Contents
- Preface/Introduction
- Learning objectives
- 1 Where the cashmere trail begins: Search the Gobi Desert for the herder Chuulunbaatar’s winter ger settlement and find nomads
- 2 The herder Chuulunbaatar’s ger: The customs of visiting and eating
- 3 The smell of hot brick tea and warm milk
- 4 Chuulunbaatar’s wife: Gracious hospitality
- 5 Morning on the Gobi Desert: How to get out from under piles of felt blankets on a cold morning
- 6 An unobstructed view: Travel in the Gobi and order a pair of custom-made boots
- 7 A bowl of soup: Classic Mongolian roadhouse
- 8 The late Mr. Stephen Vance, Chief of Party: Taciturn brilliance
- 9 International Politics
- 10 In Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: The legacy of Soviet architecture
- 11 The pub in the British Embassy
- 12 The herder Tömör
- 13 A quiet woman
- 14 The culling
- 15 Snow hawks and survival
- 16 Cooperation among the herders
- 17 Fine fiber processors in UB
- 18 Sticker shock for the herders
- 19 Anton’s Bistro
- 20 Emerging markets: Price and exchange in the Gobi Desert
- 21 Visit to Dalanzadgad
- Afterwords
- Notes
- Recommended assignments and discussion questions
- References
- Bibliographic references
- Recommended further reading or watching
- Film
- Index
Stephen Parliament is a political scientist, activist, educator, cooperative housing developer, and writer with global teaching and advocacy experience.
Readers are invited to communicate directly with the author at stephen.parliament1189@gmail.com. Comments and questions are welcome.
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