Photos of tents from the Syrian desert — 1930s
Above, one pole tent of a regular Bedouin. In the middle, three pole tent of a minor shaykh. Below, seven pole tent of an important tribal leader (e.g., Fawaz al-Shaalan of the Ruwalah, or Rakan ibn Mirshid of the Sba’ah).
Photos by Louis Delseny (1906-1997), a French army officer and amateur photographer who served in Syrian desert starting in 1928 and through the 1930s. His unit was in charge of guarding the road from Damascus to Bagdad. Sources: Archives of the French Ministry of Defense.
As a desert dweller, myself, these photos are very intriguing. I see a good deal of anchorage for stability and to combat the wind. I can relate.
Bedouin tents are comfortable. What was painstaking is the packing and repacking every 3-4 days.