Tuareg Tent Post – EHEL – Niger

Four “Ehel” posts were placed in a tent to hold a long wall mat (“Eseber”), which was placed around the bed to define space and create privacy.

Mid 20th century. Hardwood. Cm. 107,2 high x 14,7 width (42.20″ x 5.78″). With the costum stand the piece is cm. 109,7 high (43.18″).

The Tuareg people inhabit a large area, covering almost all the middle and western Sahara and the north-central Sahel. They are probably descended from the ancient Libyan people of the kingdom of the Garamantes, described by Herodotus. Tuareg are mostly nomads. For over two millennia, the Tuareg operated the trans-Saharan caravan trade connecting the great cities on the southern edge of the Sahara via five desert trade routes to the northern coast of Africa (Mediterranean).