Khamir Annual Exhibitions

When camels and carts were the only means of transport across deserts, camels had a significant role in trade. Caravans of camels were constantly passing through the regions of Sindh, Rajasthan, and Kachchh, carrying trade items like opium, silk, indigo, iron, ivory, dates, coconuts, perfumed wood, and dry fruits.

Tangs were used to secure the many trading goods. The tang is a belt tied to one side of the wooden saddle on the camel, passes around the animal’s neck and under its tail, and is tied to the saddle on the other side. Since the wooden saddle is typically quite long, two tangs are used to secure it. The front belt is patterned, while the back belt is typically left unpatterned.

Camel girths were extensively made and used throughout the areas of western Rajasthan and the salt plains of Kachchh. These regions have a rich pastoral culture, as herding has been a major livelihood for centuries. Maldhari pastoralists reared cows, buffaloes, camel, sheep, and goats. With hair from camels and goats, the Maldharis devised a unique braiding technique to make tangs called ply split. With ply split braiding, a plied rope is threaded in through itself.