Reed wall
(zirb) from a bedouin
tent
From Syria, AD 1970s
The reed wall
(zirb) was used to
create a draught-free area around the hearth in the women's
section of a bedouin tent.The reeds are joined by coloured wool
threads twined around them. Walls such as this were made by
craftsmen in Syrian towns. This particularly fine example would
have been considered a luxurious addition to any
tent.
S. Weir, The Bedouin: aspects of the ma (World of Islam Festival Publishing Co. Ltd., 1976)