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Global Barter / Asia / G038

Asia · Dolpo, Karnali, Nepal · G038

Dolpo Salt

Yak caravans carrying Tibetan salt south for hill-grown grain.

Front of Dolpo Salt: 2 Loads, inspired by Dolpo salt-for-grain yak caravans, with actual Noun #32
Front · 150 × 75 mm
Back of Dolpo Salt: the Dolpo salt-for-grain yak caravans tradition, how a note would work, and the traits of Noun #32
Back · the tradition

Security Edition v2

The same note set like a banknote: full engraved portrait of Noun #32, guilloche, watermark, thread, foil stripe and microtext, all printed art. What's on it

Security Edition front of Dolpo Salt: a line-engraved portrait of the full actual Noun #32 in a guilloche oval beside a watermark window, thread and holographic-look stripe
Security Edition · front
Security Edition back of Dolpo Salt: a color medallion of Noun #32 in a guilloche rosette, with the note's story
Security Edition · back
v2 front SVG ↓ v2 back SVG ↓

The tradition · centuries-old; reduced

Dolpo salt-for-grain yak caravans

For centuries Dolpo's agro-pastoralists carried Tibetan salt south by yak and sheep caravan to barter for grain; the trade shrank after the 1959 border closure, but smaller caravans continue.

Source: The cultural ecology of yak production in Dolpo, West Nepal (ILRI yak conference proceedings) ↗

How a note would work

Loads are earned by hauling goods up or down the valley for neighbours and spent on grain, wool or help. They are never bought or cashed out.

Design concept inspired by this tradition, not issued by or for the people who keep it. Not legal tender, not for sale, no cash value, no redemption and no investment rights.

Front SVG ↓ Back SVG ↓ Machine edition
  • PlaceDolpo, Karnali, Nepal
  • Eracenturies-old; reduced
  • RegionAsia
  • UnitLoad · Loads
  • Face value2 Loads
  • SerialGB-G038-N0032
  • NounActual Noun #32 ↗
  • Why this NounA ski lift for a trade that has always had to climb over high Himalayan passes.
  • Headskilift
  • Glassessquare red
  • Bodygunk
  • Accessorystripes brown
  • Seedbg 0 · body 15 · acc 92 · head 191 · glasses 15