Ancient
Future
Material™
the cloth is the forest.
Conservation through material production, led by the communities who keep the forest alive.
Across Indo-Burma and Eastern Himalaya landscapes, TEK functions as the active management intelligence of the production system, sustaining the ecological processes that produce the fibre while conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem integrity. These fibres are irreproducible because they are inseparable from the landscapes, governance systems, and community practices that produce them.
Landscape >
The five conditions of Ancient Future Material >
01
Forest Dependency
The physical properties of the material are linked to the specific forest -dependent production system in which it is produced. In Borduar Eri Silk, the genetic diversity of domesticated populations is maintained through continuous gene flow with wild and semi-domesticated populations, facilitated by traditional community-managed rearing practices within the ecosystem. The Kamrup–Khasi forest landscape functions as an important reservoir of genetic resources, supporting the periodic exchange of breeding stock and contributing to the long-term genetic resilience of the production system.
02
TEK Governed Production
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is the active management intelligence of the production system. Rabha rearing practices, the Garo a·ba and a·king tenure systems, and Brokpa transhumant governance are the guiding TEK principles of production within the ecosystem, and the associated TEK conserves the landscape.
03
Community as Custodians
The community serves as the custodian of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and functions as the primary governing authority within the production system. All traditional practices are documented with Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) at every stage and remain under community custodianship. The forest landscape is governed in accordance with customary laws and institutions maintained by the community.
04
Measurable Biodiversity Outcome
Each landscape lies within a biodiversity hotspot and represents the fragile Indo-Burma and Eastern Himalayan ecological regions, supporting rare and endemic species. The production system demonstrably maintains biodiversity within the landscapes it occupies, as documented through scientific research employing dedicated biodiversity measurement indices and generating peer-reviewed evidence on the outcomes of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) based practices.
05
Fair - Forest Pricing
The material is priced to support the continuity of Borduar Eri Silk, A·ba Cotton, Brokpa Yak Wool and their associated Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), thereby contributing to the conservation of biodiversity within each production landscape. Revenue distribution is structured, transparent and non-negotiable across all landscapes and jurisdictions.
0
hectares under the programme — across three landscapes, seven key biodiversity areas and two of the world's most fragile biodiversity hotspots
6,500 hectares are currently under peer-reviewed monitoring - a baseline that expands progressively as each landscape moves from entry protocol to active production.
Fair Forest Pricing >
66.67%
To material producers
Artisans weavers, artisan spinners, dyers, rearing households,farmers, and herders are paid directly.
23.33%
TO Biodiversity Governance & Research
TEK documentation, intergenerational knowledgetransmission, and community governance infrastructure.
10%
To Community institutes
Peer-reviewed monitoring, OECM pathway, PBR, BHS, community forestry, and Research Foundation operations.
Material >
Become a partner brand.
Every metre you purchase conserves the forest where it was produced, and pays the community transparently and directly.
4
BRAND-PARTNER SLOTS, YEAR 2
5 yr
MINIMUM TERM, RENEWABLE
3,000
METRES AVAILABLE