The above photo was taken in Kashgar’s livestock market – a fascinating place, which Pelican Yoga will eventually explore in much more detail.
The particular characteristics that define “premium” sheep are partly environmental, and partly cultural; the “best” sheep on offer in China doubtless look “highly exotic” to most Australians.
To most Chinese people, Australia’s highly-prized merinos would doubtless appear equally “strange”.
So-called “fat-tailed” sheep (fat-rumped sheep would be a better tag) comprise circa 25% of the global market’s sheep population; they make up about 80% of China’s…and almost all of the husbanded/herded sheep in China’s northwest.
They are well-adapted to extreme environments, most especially to those both “high” and “dry”.
The fat in their rumps is analogous to that in camels’ humps; it has long been highly prized by humans.
Their meat – as expertly prepared, Uyghur-style – is absolutely delicious.
(photo ©️ Doug Spencer, taken in Kashgar’s livestock market on 26 May 2024)