ABSTRACT
The black tents of Southwestern Asia are divided into two primary groups — an occidental group representing the Arab domain, and an oriental group comprising Iranian, Afghan and Tibetan peoples - along the border of the plains of Mesopotamia. The black tent arid cylindrical tent culture zones of Afghanistan are separated by the Paropamisus and Hindu Kush. The black tents of Iran and Afghanistan are variations of two archetypes, a ridged roof rectangular tent and a barrel-vaulted or arched form. Of the Baluch, Duranni and Achikzai barrel-vaulted tents the Duranni is a transitional form which gradually merges into the Baluch type. Afghanistan is divided into a northern cylindrical tent zone and a southern zone of black tents. The black tent of the Ghilzai nomads who inhabit a territory extending from Kandahar to Kabul in Eastern Afghanistan has a black goats' hair roof cloth stretched over three rows of poles placed lengthwise with the help of stays.
