Traditional Camel/goat hair BEDOUIN Tents
Our handcrafted Bedouin tents, also known as bivouac or nomad tents, embody the rich nomadic heritage of the Sahara Desert. These traditionally crafted shelters are woven from camel or goat hair by skilled artisans, offering a unique blend of durability, comfort, and cultural significance.
Key features of our camel/goat hair tents:
Authentic Design: Retaining the timeless single central pole and wooden Hamar support structure, our tents evoke the essence of nomadic living.
Made to Order: We offer custom-made Bedouin tents to suit your specific needs, ensuring a perfect fit for your event or outdoor space.
Built to Last: The tightly woven camel or goat hair provides superior insulation, wind protection, and natural climate control, making them ideal for harsh environments.
Sustainable - supporting local communities and indigenous craftsmanship.
Authentic Handcrafted Bedouin Tents
Who are the bedouin people ?
Bedouins are semi-nomadic people who, historically, lived across the Middle East and North Africa, moving their flocks to seasonal grazing locations. These traditional Sahara Nomad Tents (also known as Bedouin or Bivouac Tents) have been used for centuries by various nomadic communities throughout Africa and the Middle East. The structure/design of these tents have evolved over hundreds of years with the ideal ergonomic design for high winds and weather, but with minimal, yet durable materials for the quick assembly and takedown required by the nomadic lifestyle.
The exterior tent fabric is tightly woven by hand on a loom with either camel hair or goat hair and held up by hand-carved wooden posts and “Hamar” support. The weave of the tent tightens in wet weather and expands in hot weather to let the tent breathe. The camel hair wool material has many adaptive thermal properties. i.e. it acts as a heat absorber. Its loose weave lets the heat inside disperse and encourages the heat release through its weave. In addition the natural hair oil (or sebum) blocks the rain and resists water, making them naturally waterproof. Tents can adapt to a variety of environments from the most arid to the coldest ones.
In extreme climates, these tents can be made with a double layer on the roof, so that in summer an air gap can be created between the two layers to reduce heat, while in winter the two layers will create a thick thermal insulation.
Camel Hair Heritage Weaving
what are bedouin tents made of?
The Bedouin Tents are woven in the traditional way, using a blend of camel hair and goat hair. 50cm diameter panels are woven on a traditional Sahara loom and the individual panels are then sewn together to create the desired size. Initially, the tent colour is black, but quickly the tents fade to dark brown with sun exposure.
The weaving is usually done by women on a ground loom, creating a three-ply strong and tight textile that is made into camel bags, tents, rugs and pillows. They collect the wool from their herd, clean and brush it before spinning it into wool for sewing and weaving. These tribes rely on their herds for survival. Weaving these textiles is one of the oldest crafts known, with tribes sharing their designs and skills.
what is a bedouin tent called ?
Bedouin tents have many names: the traditional bayt al-shar (Arabic for "house of hair"), bivouac tents for their temporary use, middle eastern or berber tents depending on the location of the tribe, and simply nomad tents.
Authentic Construction: The Essence of Bedouin Tents
Traditional Bedouin ergonomic design
Handwoven from camel hair or goat hair by the Nomads of the Sahara Desert in panels of 50cm wide
Traditional Nomad tents have single middle poles and Hamar support (depending on size)
Tent color is black, quickly fading to dark brown in the sun
Can be made with 20cm diameter wooden posts and with metal roof frames for large-scale projects, Hotels, Festivals & public use
Our architect can provide structural drawings
The tents can be quickly erected or dismantled, making them easy to move around
(SKU# MT05)
Get inspired by those bedouin tents designs :
Fill out the form below to discuss your bespoke requirements, include as many details as possible including location and timeline.
The Future of Bedouin Tents
The Nomad Pavilion, A Water harvesting sanctuary for Arid Weather
A conceptual project by Dina Haddadin + Rasem Kamal in the Desert of Jordan, Jordan
The Nomad pavilion is inspired by the local Bedouin tent, one of the earliest shelters to protect from harsh conditions.
The vision is to create a new interpretation of the authentic tent, blending with its surrounding yet standing out as a sanctuary for visitors; to become a shaded oasis, a gathering rest spot and a source of fresh drinking water.
The pavilion’s geometry was derived from the Black Iris; the national flower of Jordan, which adapts to the desert’s dry environment, harsh sun and strong wind. Furthermore, referencing the wild cactus, the pavilion is designed using multiple layers that overlap to avoid an overheated interior space.
Similar to the materials used in Bedouin tents, the structure will be covered with a living breathing skin from coarsely woven goat hair.
FAQs
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Traditionally, Bedouin tents are handwoven from camel hair or goat hair. These materials offer exceptional durability, insulation, and natural climate control, making them ideal for the harsh desert environment.
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Bedouin tents have several names:
Bayt al-shar: This is the Arabic term for "house of hair."
Bivouac tent: This term emphasizes their temporary use.
Nomad tent: This highlights their association with nomadic lifestyles.
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Camel and goat hair offer several advantages:
Durability: The tightly woven hair creates a strong and long-lasting material.
Insulation: The hair provides excellent insulation, keeping occupants warm at night and cool during the day.
Natural Climate Control: The breathable material allows for air circulation, preventing condensation and maintaining a comfortable living space.
Water Resistance: The natural hair oils act as a water repellent, providing basic waterproofing.
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Bedouin tents are remarkably adaptable:
Self-Regulating Climate: The weave expands in hot weather to promote airflow and contracts in cold weather to retain heat.
Double-Layered Roofs (Optional): For extreme climates, we offer tents with double-layered roofs. In summer, an air gap between the layers provides additional cooling. In winter, the double layer provides enhanced thermal insulation.
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