Collections

The entire Tibetan collection consists of about 500 objects. Of these, about 140 objects are specifically nomadic, although it is not easy to divide the collection sharply between nomadic and settled peoples. There are two black yak hair tents, a white cotton tent, and four model tents.

The contents of the East Tibetan black tent consist of storage bags made of woven straw and hide, a hanger; sheepskin rugs; a saddle and tack; yak hair ropes, milking pail; cream separator; bellows; a stove; cooking pots and a spatula, and food boxes.

There are a number of objects linked to food preparation. There are yak trappings including nose rings, a hobble and two model yaks. There are horse trappings: saddles, blanket and girth, stirrups etc. Nomadic clothing includes robes, chuba and sheepskins, as well as jewellery. There are also religious items associated with Buddhism.

Most of the material was collected by Horniman curators on special collecting expeditions during the 1980s. The collection includes one tent of white cotton specially commissioned from a refugee tentmaker in the Kathmandu Valley in 1984. It's appliquéd with decoration of Buddhist symbols, colours and prayer flags. White tents were formally used by wealthier people for picnics, or a place to stay during summer festivals. Now Chinese authorities frequently require that Tibetan nomads use these tents for permanent residence: even though Tibetan nomads formally regarded black tents as defining their ethnic identity. This entry is an extract from Ken Teague’s book Nomads.