OUR STORY
Our journey started even before we ourselves knew it, when we saw a Camel soft toy in an opshop in Whanagrei New Zealand. This Camel soft toy has been the inspiration behind the logo we now use for business Shotor. Shotor means Camel in Farsi. It seemed fitting to us, since we wanted to sell 100% Camel wool Patu. We saw the potential of connecting two worlds, the Middle East with the West, by selling these authentic products made in Afghanistan and Iran and selling them in New Zealand.
We started selling the ancient Patu at markets, an item that can not be missed when traveling in Afghanistan and is still used by most today. It's still made by hand on a loom, although the industry is creeping into the traditions of Afghanistan and wanting to make all these beautiful items by machine. Another reason for us to support locals in Afghanistan and support this ancient art of handmade Patu's.
From there we decided to expand our range to jewellery and handcrafted arts that are made in Afghanistan and in Iran.
We hope you enjoy the products as much as we do and please get in touch with us, we love to chat and connect the worlds that sometimes seem so far away but are actually so close to our hearts.
About Camels and Why We Love Them
Camels are unique animals that have roamed the earth for 40 million years, they used to be the size of a rabbit and roamed in the Americas.
A Camel is an even-toed ungulate in the genus Camelus that bears distinctive fatty deposits known as "humps" on its back. The relationship between Humans and camels started about 4000 years ago and it is still ongoing, many still depend on camels for their livelihoods. There are two types of camels: One humped or “dromedary” and two-humped "Bactrian" camels, our Camel wool comes from the Bactrian Camel in Afghanistan.
In short, Camels are AWESOME!!!
Since you are here, read some more Camel facts:
- Camels have three sets of eyelids and two rows of eyelashes, to keep the sand out of their eyes.
- Their nostrils can completely shut as to keep out any sand during sandstorms.
- They have thick lips, so they can eat the thorny plants other animals can't eat.
- Camels have thick pads of skin on their chest and knees, which means they can comfortably sit in very hot sand.
- Their humps let them store up to 80 pounds of fat (not water) which they can live off for weeks and even months!
- When a camel finds water, he/she can drink up to 40 gallons (150 liters) in one go.
- Camels can carry up to 900 pounds ( 410 kg) for 25 miles (40 km) A DAY!
- They are as fast as a racehorse going about 40km an hour at max speed
- Mothers carry their young for 14 months before giving birth.
- Some calves are born completely white and turn brown as their adult coat comes in.
- There are over 160 words for camel in Arabic alone.
Fun facts:
- Camels cry, not only because something in their eye might be bugging them, but also because they are very emotional.
- Don't make camels angry they can spit but keepers of camels who have treated them badly have been known to kill their caretaker
- If you pat them, and hug them for a while they will give you a bow of gratitude and recognition of your love.
As always, we journey with you
