ABSTRACT
The association of tents with a specific way of life is strong among nomadic pastoralists and, to a lesser extent, among hunters and fishers. The tent is commonly found in dry climates. Precipitation rather than temperature is the factor: tents are found in regions subject to extreme heat or cold but rarely in areas receiving abundant rainfall. Pastoral nomads normally live in portable dwellings of the tent type, which can be readily transported along with the family while the herds migrate. The bewildering diversity of tent types at the tribal level is explained by the operation of socio-cultural factors. Nomad tents may be classified in accordance with similarities of shape and material. Accordingly, there are three principal families of tents, namely: skin covered conical tents, felt covered cylindrical tents and black goats' hair tents. Most of the peoples who live in conical tents belong to tribal societies based on hunting and fishing economies, reindeer herding and specialized hunting and fishing.
