Posted by Wendel Swan on April 27, 1999 at 11:12:23:
In Reply to: Re: Dead men tell no tales? posted by Patrick Weiler on April 27, 1999 at 08:54:13:
Pat posted:
: Regarding the use of wood, many of the frame lattices for the Turkmen tents were made in urban areas for sale to non-sedentary Turkmen, since the manufacture was a specialty.
Pat's point about nomads buying wood struts prompts me to add that nomadic communities are not entirely self-sufficient. I am most familiar with the Shahsavan, who had to acquire (by purchase or barter) goods that they could not produce themselves. This would include wood, metal, weapons, salt, spices and even some dyes. In recent decades they even bought felts in town.
The Shahsavan (and likely other nomads as well) had more or less regular commerce with villagers, townspeople and itinerant merchants. Their excess wool was the primary source of payment.
Wendel