Tent Post

ClassificationsArchitectural Elements-posts

Culture Tuareg

Date20th Century

Made AtNiger, Africa

Made AtMali, Africa

MediumWood

Dimensions57 × 6 × 1 1/2 in. (144.8 × 15.2 × 3.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Danny and Anne Shih

Object number2014.15.27

DescriptionThe Tuareg are considered to be a semi-nomadic people. As such, their homes are tents that can be easily disassembled and carried to a different location. The tents are made from arched wooden frames covered in goatskins or straw mats. Tent poles had two purposes. One was to hold up wall mats used to support inhabitants from the elements. Poles used for this purpose are known as ehel. The other was to mark the entrance of the tent and serve as the central exterior pole. These poles are known as igem. Both types of poles are carved from a single piece of wood. Acacia and palm woods were typically the most readily available materials. It is not clear if this pole is an ehel or an igem. Further study is needed.

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