Two styles of riding saddles were common in the Saharan and Sahelian communities of West Africa in the sixties. The first was reminisant of a two-legged milk stool. The seat was round, about 18 to 24 inches in diameter with a flattened vertical pommel in the front and a back of similar shape. The saddle rested ahead of the hump with two diagonal wings of about 15 to 18 inches forming the tree. The entire construction was wood with either leather binding, or stitching of the planks and in some cases metal plates and nails to reinforce the frame. The entire saddle would be covered in rawhide and sewn with leather thong material. These were used by all ethnic groups that I encountered but among the Taureg, they were considered to be working saddles rather than for show or dress.
The Taureg saddle used a round seat of 24 to 27 inches diameter, the winged-tree were approximately 24 inches in length and the forked saddle horn was canted forward slightly. It was 18 to 24 inches high with three prongs at about forty five degrees to each other the prongs were five to seven inches long. The back of the saddle was 18 to 24 inches high with an arched shape and sometimes with a spire or prong. Metal reinforcing plates were common. The entire saddle is covered in tanned leather with red and black geometric patterns. Additional decoration often consisted of light green leather stitched in or tinned or brass metal work. In very ornate saddles the prongs of the saddle "horn" and back might be sheathed in brass. |
 Click here to see the full-sized picture |
 Click here to see the full-sized picture |
Both style saddles had rough iron rings attached below the seat but high up on the wings for the cinch strap which was normally flat braided leather about 2 to 3 inches wide. Some times braid cloth would be used but this generally wasn't very secure (Speaking from experience).
The following is a model of a Taureg pack saddle for use on a dromedary camel. While this was probably intended to be used on a camel statue of some sort, it appears to be made in the same style and manner that the full-sized ones would be.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
AllCamels.com invites you to share pictures, stories, and historical information on saddles for either the dromedary or bactrian that you have either own(ed), ridden, or seen used. Please contact us at museum@allcamels.com or use the form available on our Contact page.
 |
 |
