Aqal Somali

Bend arched poles, lash them and cover the frame with woven mats in the right order so the portable hut stands before the day ends.

Heritage note

Part of the living heritage of Somalia. Some forms of this practice carry deep meaning for the communities who keep it; here we describe the play and the craft only, with respect for its roots.

Origins

A living tradition passed from person to person; it is not tied to a single dated origin. It belongs to the cultural world of Africa: Nile and the Horn.