260112 - Tuareg tent pole - Ame ssaqqab - Niger - Mali
Tuareg tent pole - Ame ssaqqab - Niger.
Size: 74 cm high.
This Tuareg tent pole are dated mid 20th century.
These are old carrying poles used by the Tuareg people of Mauritania and Niger.
The Tuareg, a nomadic people from the Sahara, travel across the Sahara with their camels. When moving their tents, they use a type of litter, which they place on the camel. This litter, also called a palanquin, consists of four wooden poles called 'ame ssaqqab,' connected by crossed slats and strung together with goatskin or camel leather. The mistress of the house sits in this litter with her younger children and lambs.
The carrying pole has a second function. Inside the tent, it is placed upside down and used as a table or platform for storing food and personal belongings. The four poles of each litter are engraved with geometric motifs.
The Tuareg are known for their jewelry, leatherwork, and woodworking. Since the Touareg are nomadic, they have limited possessions. Therefore, everything they own is not only decorative but also functional.
These items are in fair condition. The wooden heads have deteriorated due to use and time, and there are some scratches that have also occurred over time.