From Dr. Wheeler's (the donor's) notes: "Black goat hair, woven on a back strap loom into continuous panels 24 feet long, 18-23 inches wide... Panels are sewn together at the seam to form a rectangular tent 24 [feet] by 10 [feet]. A tension band is added at the center and at the ends. As the tent ages each year a new panel is made. The tent center is opened up and the new panel inserted and ragged edges removed. That way the tent is continually renewed. Leather pouches with blessings from the marabout [holy man] hang at the entry to ward off djinns [genies/spirits] of the desert. When erected, the tent stands 7-8 ft. at the center, and 3 foot on the ends. Black goat hair curtains are put up to seal the tent in the cold of winter and during sand storms. During the hot summer, the sides may be left off. The tent is held up by goat or camel hair ropes tied to wooden stakes driven into the sand. "During winter, when the mountains are covered in snow, the Berbers migrate to the desert searching for grass for their animals. In summer, they migrate back into the mountains to find lush green pastures. There are many different styles of black tents and methods of setting them up, but the Berber family tent...[has a]...low profile arch over one central ridge pole." See the accession file for Dr. Wheeler's diagrams, notes, and a photo of the tent in use.
Large tent and accessories. Tent is made with undyed dark and medium brown goat hair, handspun in single-ply Z twist yarn, handwoven in warp-predominant plain weave. Woven in long strips, then sewn together along the edges to create a wider piece. Reinforcing straps are sewn along the center and ends, and ropes are attached to corners and along the ends. One end has wooden stakes attached. Two amulets, made by folding a piece of leather and stitching it together, are attached to the underside at the entrance (see Wheeler's diagram, attached). Some damaged areas, especially at the ends, with a few repairs. Accessories include 2 small pieces of the same cloth (presumably patches for worn areas), one large skein of goat hair yarn, a piece of rope threaded through several metal stakes, and a wide woven strap with two large needles.
