Mohair is spun from the fleece of the Angora goat. Smooth, strong and naturally lustrous, it is prized for its softness, durability and vibrant colour. Lightweight, breathable and warm, mohair has been woven and worn around the world for centuries.
Today, South Africa is the world’s leading producer of mohair, with much of it farmed across the Eastern Cape Karoo. The industry’s roots trace back to 1838, when the Sultan of Turkey sent a flock of Angora goats to the Cape Colony. Although the rams had been neutered, one ewe was unknowingly pregnant. The kid born during the voyage is said to have laid the foundation for South Africa’s mohair industry.
Mohair Facts
Produced from the fleece of the Angora goat, mohair’s smooth fibre structure gives it a natural shine and vibrant colour.
South Africa is the world’s leading producer of mohair, with much of it farmed across the Eastern Cape Karoo.
The finest grade is kid mohair, taken from the first shearing of a young goat. It is the softest, finest and most valuable clip.
Mungo Mohair
Long before the Mungo Mill, Master Weaver Stuart Holding was weaving with mohair. In the 1980s and 1990s, he produced the distinctive fluffy mohair blankets many South Africans will remember. Woven using a traditional Scottish construction and finished with a soft brushed nap, they became known as “candy floss blankets”.
Mohair has always been part of the Mungo story. Today it features in products such as the Mos Wrap and the Momo Throw. Read more about mohair’s history at Mungo here.
What to love about mohair
Natural fibre | Lustrous | Durable | Lightweight | Breathable | Warm | Colour-rich | Resists creasing | Hypoallergenic | Biodegradable | Sustainable
