How many yaks could a yak pack pack if a yak pack could pack yaks?

Your roving [pun intended] fiber reporter is at it again... this time it is a
visit to see the Hellmann's YAKS at Little Valley Ranch cglvr@fidnet.com to
help with winter worming and trimming.

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Yak Bak-ground

Wild Yaks (Bos grunniens) are an endangered species native to the mountains of
Tibet and Asia . It is estimated that there are no more than a few hundred left
in the wild due to hybridization and competition with domestic stock, poaching
and habitat disturbance.

The Domesticated Yak has been used since about 900-1000 BC in Tibet and
traditionally used for packing and transportation, meat and milk(3rd most
important dairy animal in the world), fiber and dung (for heat). No other animal
can outperform them at elevations of 14,000 to 20,000 feet! Their huge lung
capacity works in partnership with a superior hemoglobin (the cells that carry
oxygen in the blood) count which is 3 times higher than cattle. Incidently, the
Sherpa people also share this advantage . The sherpas in Nepal call male yaks
"yak" and females "Nak" or "Dri". Lifespan of the domestic yak is approximately
20-25 years.

Yaks are short and compact, covered with long guard hair with a dense downy
undercoat. The undercoat is combed out as it starts to shed out and can be spun
like cashmere or camel down. They can produce 2-3 pounds of down per year.

The outer coarse hair is used for ropes, rugs, tents,and belts. The skins are
also utilized for drumheads, "siding" on the yurt and boat skins. Even the bones are used for carving into ornamental knives and jewelry (do a check on ebay for yak bone jewelry!)

There are five types of Yaks: black (wild-type), trims (black with white trim), royal (black and white pied with a white face), golden, and wooly.

There is an estimated 12 million domestic yaks worldwide.

The most common Tibetan word for yak translates roughly as "a wish granting gem that gives you everything you want."

Links to more information about yaks:

http://www.domestic-yaks-wild-yaks.com/
http://www.alaskazoo.org/willowcrest/yak.htm
http://www.china-fpa.org/english/china/nationality/tajike.htm
http://www.story-lovers.com/liststibetanfolklore.html
Little Valley Ranch cglvr@fidnet.com

Little Valley Ranch Yaks

wild type- black yak tied tightly to post for our safety, while trimming and
worming. Yaks are not large, but can be handy with their horns. Once tied they
stand fairly quietly. They are intelligent and learn quickly."Tibetan yaks are also known as "grunting oxen" because of their grunting vocalizations. " The yak (nak) above was quite vocal throughout her grooming process..we had quite a conversation.

yak tail is long like a horsetail, but softer. When alarmed they raise their
big bushy tails over their backs like a squirrel!

An Asian Spring Ritual with Yaks (translated from Chinese)

Every March, a Spring Festival is held for a new year. Each family will clean
its house, and paint designs on the walls with flour. A yak will be used to draw
a circle of protection around the house. They also splash some flour on the yak.
Leaders of the village speak happy words and then they make New Years calls on
each other. The dressed up women waiting at the door splash flour on the left
shoulder of each guest.

I have not spoken to the Hellmanns regarding this idea for a great spring party, but if we have one, I'll let you know 8>)

All the Way to Lhasa: A Tale from Tibet

Retelling and art by Barbara Helen Berger (Philomel Books, NY)
http://www.bhberger.com
copyright
Barbara Helen Berger, 2002.
Used here by author's permission.

Long ago in the land of Tibet, an old woman sat by the road to the holy
city of Lhasa. A horse and rider came galloping up to her. "How far is
it to Lhasa?" "Very far," said the old woman, "you'll never make it there before
night."But the rider kicked his horse and galloped off as fast as a horse can
run.

Then a boy came walking along with his yak, one foot in front of the
other."How far is it to Lhasa?" "Very far", said the old woman," but you can
make it there before night." So the boy gave his yak a gentle tug and
kept on walking.

One foot in front of the other, he climbed a steep and windy slope.
He thought the torrents would sweep him away.He thought he would be lost in the snows.He thought the dark would come and he would never make it to the holy city of Lhasa. But still the boy kept walking, on and on with his
steady yak, one foot in front of the other.

Then he came to a fallen horse and rider. They had run so hard, they could run no more. And there they lay, snoring. The boy wanted to lie down too. But he gave his yak a gentle tug and kept on walking. Then, in the last rays of sun before night, he heard deep horns calling. He heard bells, si li li, and drums, dro lo lo. Emaho! He had made it -- one foot in front of the
other, all the way to the holy city of Lhasa.

I would like to thank Ms Berger for kindly consenting (and in fact, helping me) to share her story text with you all. She is also a talented artist and the artwork that goes with the story is beautiful! If you would like a copy of this and other wonderful childrens books, complete with delightful artwork ...check with your local independent bookstore or online. I also found good used copies at www.amazon.com

here is the url of the amazon page for All the Way to Lhasa:
http://www.amazon.com/All-Way-Lhasa-Tale-Tibet/dp/0399233873/sr=1-1/qid=11690748

here is the url of the barnesandnoble page for All the Way to Lhasa:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=97803992

You might also wish to visit Ms Bergers website at http://bhberger.com/ to view some of her other work.

Yak Tail Amulet

We trimmed the long tails of the wild-black yaks, washed and bound them
into small bundles decorated with silken cording, tassels, beads and bells . They are available in royal purple, crimson or turquoise&gold and have a silver jewelry_wire hanger. Designed to remind us of the value of perseverance, you can tie one to your walking stick or hang it somewhere to remind yourself to stick to your New Years resolution or perhaps remind yourself, when the world seems overwhelming,to just keep walking. If you would like one of these unique amulets ,they are available from HMFF for $4.99 plus 1st class postage. We have a few of each color. I will leave it to you to decide if you want to trim the yak tail or leave it au naturale . Contact me at hmffarm@fidnet.com or go to my ebay store, Herbal Maid Gallery