Kohte

History

Construction

• It is constructed from four identical, uniquely shaped, roughly triangular or trapezoidal pieces of heavy canvas, called kohtenblatt, each about 2 kg/4 lbs in weight. Because the pieces are separate, they can be distributed among the members of a camping party during travel. Black fabric is almost always used.
• The tent is suspended from an external A-frame of only two long poles and secured to the ground with eight pegs, all of which are commonly sourced from local wood rather than carried around by campers.
• The canvas tarpaulins are fastened together using a loop and grommet system, or a loop-strap system, depending on the manufacturer.
• A fire can be used inside the tent, with the design incorporating a covered smoke hole.

  Variants and extensions

• Smaller shelters can be made from one or two individual kohte segments.
• A larger tent, the Jurte is made using six kohte segments for the roof, and adding high vertical walls.