By the end of the 19th century, there was barely a trace of anything resembling a dog whose coat was suitable for spinning in the Pacific Northwest.

Bull Musk ox. Photo: Robert Haasman For nearly a century, Greenland has been peddling musk ox, sending young calves to the United States, Russia, Norway, and Canada. Roughly 200,000 years ago, this shaggy behemoth originally trudged across the Bering Sea Land Bridge, traveling across Alaska, Canada, and eventually to Greenland. At one time, the musk ox lived as far south as the American Midwest.   Prized for its adaptability, musk ox stay comfortable in temperatures at 50 bel

Ellen Frederiksen on her farm in South Greenland Photo :  Alexandra Dayley Clark

I have often said that if, heaven forbid, my house is on fire, I won’t reach for my jewelry or family photos; I will reach for my qiviut—the luxurious fiber from the musk ox. Given my profession, this should not come as a surprise. Admittedly, I have only a few items, which makes them that much more precious. They are equal parts pricey and priceless.

Herding sheep in Greenland (circa 1924)

A pair of walruses hauled out on the snow, Svalbard, Norway.

Milton and Matilda were musk ox and part of a long-standing, international gifting protocol that likely originated with the elephant, Abul Abbas, who was given to Charlemagne.

A woman at an indigo dye house in Bagru, India. Photo: Linda Cortright

Two years ago, I happened upon a man named Moin in Jaipur, who quickly transitioned from sweet-talking Indian driver, to beloved friend—an evolution that took less than an afternoon.