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Tent Post, 20th Century
Tuareg people; Africa
Wood; 57 × 6 × 1 1/2 in.
2014.15.27
Gift of M…
Tent Post
Tent Post, 20th Century
Tuareg people; Africa
Wood; 57 × 6 × 1 1/2 in.
2014.15.27
Gift of M…
Tent Post, 20th Century Tuareg people; Africa Wood; 57 × 6 × 1 1/2 in. 2014.15.27 Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Danny and Anne Shih

Tent Post

ClassificationsArchitectural Elements-posts
Culture Tuareg
Date20th Century
Made AtNiger, Africa
Made AtMali, Africa
MediumWood
Dimensions56 3/4 × 5 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (144.1 × 14 × 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.
On View
Not on view
Tent Post, 20th Century
Tuareg people; Africa
Wood; 50 1/2 × 6 × 1 1/2 in.
2014.15.28
Gift …
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